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Interestingly, the origins of 2012 reveal that Emmerich intended to create a modern-day retelling of the biblical flood. The film's narrative revolves around epic waves and ancient prophecies provided by the Mayans. However, despite this lofty ambition, Emmerich found himself grappling with how massive flooding could feasibly occur. The plot relied heavily on the controversial theory of “earth crust displacement,” extracted from a pseudo-archaeological book that suggested drastic geological shifts could happen. This intriguing premise became the launching point for the chaotic scenarios involving mega-disasters that punctuate the film.