Warner Bros. is planning to bring the story of Pontius Pilate to the big screen. Those familiar with the New Testament will recognise Pilate as the Roman prefect who ultimately sanctioned the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. According to Deadline, Brad Pitt (Fight Club) is eyeing the leading role as the biblical villain.

The screenplay from Vera Blasi (Woman on Top, Tortilla Soup) is said to offer a human look at the religious figure and, according to Blasi, is based in historical fact, detailing Pilate’s life up until the fateful order. Blasi also penned the screenplay for Peter Webber’s (Girl with a Pearl Earring) upcoming historical drama Emperor starring Matthew Fox (Lost) and Tommy Lee Jones (No Country for Old Men).

Biblical dramas are becoming ever more popular with a lot of buzz surrounding Darren Aronofsky’s (Black Swan) Noah starring Russell Crowe (Gladiator) and Emma Watson (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), which is due for release next year.

Pitt has been keeping himself very busy lately with a number of films including the zombie epic World War Z directed by Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace), Twelve Years a Slave from director Steve McQueen (Shame) and Ridley Scott’s (Blade Runner) The Counselor.