While not endorsing or opposing the movie, Mr. Johnson says he objects to the movie’s environmental message but applauds the film’s “serious treatment” of sin and God’s judgment—and its high production value. At his urging, Paramount added a disclaimer to marketing materials saying the film is “inspired by the story of Noah” and alerting viewers that “artistic license has been taken.”

Since then, the studio has recruited other influential Christians to see the film. Ray Flynn, former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican in the Clinton Administration and former mayor of Boston, shared his feelings about the movie at a St. Patrick’s Day event at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston, and before a crowd of 1,700 in Rhode Island. “I said I found the movie entertaining…insightful and thought-provoking,” Mr. Flynn said. The studio reached out to Jewish leaders too, but some rabbis say the movie may be less of an issue because Noah is part of the prehistory of Israel.

The commercial success or failure of the film’s portrayal of an Old Testament prophet as a brawny action hero could prophesy the fate of other Bible characters expected over the next several years to get the Hollywood treatment—including Moses, Mary, Cain and Abel.