Hopkins signs up for Aronofsky's 'Noah'

Anthony Hopkins has joined the cast of 'Noah'.

The veteran actor has signed up to play Methuselah in the forthcoming Biblical blockbuster alongside Russell Crowe in the title role.

Director Darren Aronofsky announced the news on his twitter page

i'm honored to be working with the great sir anthony hopkins. we just added him to the stellar cast of #Noah. #methuselahlives.

— darren aronofsky (@DarrenAronofsky) July 9, 2012

Methuselah is the oldest person in the Bible, aged 969, and one of the people who is mentioned as living before the great flood, which saw Noah tasked to build an ark to save the world.

The cast of the movie - which is due to start shooting at the end of August - also includes Logan Lerman and Douglas Booth as Noah's sons while Emma Watson was recently announced to be playing Ila, the love interest of the elder sibling.

Darren, Ari Handel and 'Gladiator' screenwriter John Logan have all had a hand in penning the script for the movie, which will see Ari, Arnon Milchan and Chris Brigham all executive produce.

'Noah' will be filmed in Iceland and New York, and the motion picture is expected to be released on March 28, 2014.