Earlier this summer it was reported that Will Smith, former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and perpetual Man in Black, was set to make his feature directorial debut on “The Redemption of Cain,” a big-budget biblical epic based on the tale of murderous sibling rivalry. While it’s not clear whether or not he’ll direct the project, The Wrap is reporting that his production company Overbrook, will produce the film and Sony has just given it the green light, with production slated to begin next summer in London, Jordon, and Morocco. Casting will to commence under the guidance of Francine Maisler in the next few weeks.
A couple of years ago, when the project was known as “The Legend of Cain,” Overbrook was set to produce with Smith to star. That may have changed, with the recent talking of Smith taking over directing duties from the project, which is based on a script by Caleeb Pinkett (who was most likely rewritten in the past couple of years, especially given Smith’s perfectionism and reputation for maddeningly endless tinkering – ask anyone who worked on “Men in Black III”). Biblical refresher course: Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain killed Abel because Cain was jealous because god favored his brother. God then condemned Cain, searing him with a mark and setting him to wander the earth for all eternity. You know, walk the earth, like Caine from “Kung Fu.”
“The Redemption of Cain” (or whatever it ends up being called) is one in a whole host of high-profile biblical outings being prepped by the studios. Darren Aronofsky is currently shooting “Noah,” his “environmental disaster” movie that stars Russell Crowe as the famous boat builder, while there are no fewer than three Moses movies being worked on – “Gods and Kings” for Warner Bros., with Steven Spielberg potentially attached to helm; “Moses” with Ridley Scott (presumably at Universal); and an as-yet-unnamed Moses project at Fox being written by the two dudes behind modern-day classics “New York Minute” and “Accepted.” Smith, though, not content with bloody family feuds and cosmic retribution, thought the story of 'Cain' too lacking in that key component that every movie these days seems to have. That’s right folks, The Wrap reports that there will be a “vampiric twist.” Woof.