According to writer, producer, and director Darren Aronofsky, the animals seen in this movie are "slightly tweaked designs of real existing animals." No real animals were used in the production at all.
According to Darren Aronofsky, the Watchers' designs were inspired by three images: the six-winged Seraphim angels, a seagull trapped in oil, and by ballet dancers with blocks attached to their feet. "These are angelic forms captured, malformed imprisoned by the Earth. Winged creatures who got encased, and had to use their wings as arms and legs. "
Russell Crowe explained his characterization of Noah as not necessarily having to be nice: "The funny thing with people being, they consider Noah to be a benevolent figure, you know? Because he looked after the animals. Are you kidding me? This is a dude who stood by and let the entire population of the planet perish."
A kissing scene was shot, in so many repeated takes, that Emma Watson (Ila) was left with bleeding lips, and Douglas Booth (Shem) was nursing a sore nose and swollen mouth.
Vera Fried: an extra greeting Noah, and later as a corpse floating in the river. Fried was Darren Aronofsky's seventh grade teacher. The idea of making this movie came from a poem that Aronofsky wrote for Ms. Fried's class in January 1982. Titled "The Dove", it was selected for a prize by a U.N.-organized writing contest that year. As a sign of thanks, Fried is also mentioned in closing credits.