NBC has picked up a script that retells the Greek mythology tale "Jason and the Argonauts."

NBC won a bidding war for the story by Josh and Jonas Pate ("Moonlight," "Surface"). The project is considered development, sources say, but there's a penalty should NBC pass.

"Argonauts" is best known as the 1963 film that featured the stop-motion animation work of Ray Harryhausen. If produced, NBC is considering shooting the entire project on green screen, meaning "Argonauts" would be a TV series that takes place on a ship at sea, but that doesn't go near the water. Sci Fi Channel used the method to produce its new series "Sanctuary."

The ratings of period-piece adventure drama "Crusoe" on Friday could serve as a bellwether for the project's chances. If picked up, this also wouldn't be the network's first "Argonauts" project -- in 2000, NBC aired an "Argonauts" miniseries during sweeps.