The biblical epic "David and Goliath" found its Philistine giant, the film's director announced last week.
Jerry Sokoloski of Canada has been tapped to play Goliath in the film, which is expected to be released in 2015. Sokoloski stands at 7'8".
Director Tim Chey said that the production company's casting agents had a tremendous mission.
"We didn't want to create a CGI imitation like 'The Incredible Hulk' and so our casting directors set out to find the biggest guy and he's very big," Chey said in a statement.
"Jerry was a tremendous blessing."
Sokoloski is a former NBA hopeful and wrestler turned model and actor. He has been working with screenfighting and acting coaches to prepare for the monumental role.
"David and Goliath" tells the story of the fight between a young David, before he became king of Israel, defeating a nine-foot tall warrior. UK actor Miles Sloman has been cast as David.
Although Goliath will not be CGI, there are some more fantastical scenes that will use heavy special effects.
"[The film is] focused on the events leading up to the fight," Chey told the Christian Post. "We will also have David fighting the lion and the bear via CGI. We've enlisted an A-list post-house to come up with state of the art visual effects."
The movie wrapped filming in Tunisia and London this month, and is in post-production. The film's estimated budget is $50 million.
Unlike other films promoted as being Bible-based, Chey insisted that "David and Goliath" is the real deal.
"It will be biblically correct in every way," he said. "But I want to show more of the cruelty of who the Philistines were and who Goliath was through historical data. Also, I want to flesh out the powerful fear Goliath instilled on Saul's army."
The casting of Sokoloski will add to the realism of the film, Chey said.
"Goliath stood at nine feet," he explained. "So Jerry was about a foot and four inches shorter than the real thing. He adds an incredible, realistic dimension."
