Jack Huston confirmed as "Ben Hur"
21 Sep – Jack Huston has landed himself a big role with the upcoming "Ben Hur" remake. Originally thought to be playing Messala, the best friend who turns into a bitter arch enemy, now it turns out that Huston has instead gotten the main role.
Huston will be starring alongside Morgan Freeman, who will be playing chariot race-trainer Ildarin, The Guardian reports.
Tom Hiddleston, initially rumoured to play the main character, is now speculated to be taking on the part of Messala. However, the "Thor" actor has just recently signed on for "Skull Island", so it remains to be seen whether Hiddleston will take part in the remake or not.
Another name that is being passed around as the possible antagonist is Toby Kebbell. The "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" actor is reported to have been eyeing the part, but so far no names have been confirmed by MGM and Paramount.
Even though this is a remake of 1959's "Ben Hur", it will not follow the movie version but will instead follow closely on the original novel it is based on. The 1880 novel by Lew Wallace tells the epic tale of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince betrayed by his Roman best friend Messala and is sold into slavery, who later seeks revenge on his betrayer.
"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" director Timur Bekmambetov will be directing based on the script by "12 Years a Slave" writer John Ridley, who rewrote the script initially written by Keith Clarke. The movie is set for release in North America on 26 February 2015.
