Will it hold water? How could any studio turn down this pitch? "It's the end of the world, and it's the second most famous ship after the Titanic," says Darren Aronofsky of his as-yet-unsold script based on the biblical story of Noah. Aronofsky, director of "The Fountain" and the upcoming "The Wrestler," says the story has a green theme that will resonate -- "Noah was the first environmentalist," he proclaims. As long as it's not a "Ten Commandments"- type spectacle, recycled.

The final reel

From "Che" to Liberace: Steven Soderbergh will turn his biographical lens on the flamboyant performer, with Michael Douglas at the top of the list to star. ... But first, Douglas will be a "car magnate with a runaway libido" in "Solitary Man," with Susan Sarandon and Danny DeVito. ...Next up on the conspicuous-female-consumption front: "Chasing Harry Winston," based on the book by Lauren Weisberger ("The Devil Wears Prada"). ... Kieran and Rory Culkin stretch to play brothers in the suburban comedy "Lymelife," with Alec Baldwin and Timothy Hutton. ... Ben Affleck will script, direct and star in "The Town," based on the Chuck Hogan novel "The Prince of Thieves." ... Sam Rockwell is a down-on-his-luck girls' basketball coach in "The Winning Season," also starring Emma Roberts and Rob Corddry. ... David Hasselhoff heads up "Beverly Hills Ninja II." That's a combination we can't resist.

CYNTHIA DICKISON