Brad Pitt may be about to step into the role of one of history’s most hated leaders. The actor is in talks to play Pontius Pilate, the Roman military hero whose political aspirations landed him the responsibility of approving the crucifixion of Christ, according to Deadline. Pilate is often considered little more than a Biblical villain, but Pitt and Warner Bros. seem to think there’s a deeper story to be told.

Deadline reviewed a draft of the film’s script by writer Vera Blasi, saying:

“Blasi’s script reads almost like a Biblical era Twilight Zone episode in which a proud, capable Roman soldier gets in way over his head. His arrogance and inability to grasp the devoutness of the citizenry and its hatred for the Roman occupiers and their pagan gods leads him to make catastrophic decisions. All of this puts him in a desperate situation and in need of public approval when he is asked to decide the fate of a 33-year old rabbi accused by religious elders of claiming he is King of the Jews.”

Pitt hasn’t officially signed on for this historical epic, but a deal seems likely. The depressingly handsome-slash-talented actor will next be seen in zombie thriller World War Z.

Watch the trailer for Pitt’s latest film, Killing Them Softly. And then let us know — what do you think of the actor taking on the Biblical character in a future film?