Jack Huston Leads "Ben-Hur" Redux

Deadline reports that "Boardwalk Empire" and "American Hustle" cohort Jack Huston is playing the lead in the new "Ben-Hur" film adaptation. At one point British actor Tom Hiddleston was tipped for the role. He is going to travel to "Skull Island" for Legendary Pictures instead.

 
Keith Clarke ("The Way Back") wrote the initial adapted script before John Ridley took over.

The story is based on the bestselling 1880 book by Civil War General Lew Wallace. The property was adapted for big screen once before as William Wyler's 1959 film classic starring Charlton Heston.Wallace's novel is in the public domain.

Morgan Freeman will play Ildarin, the man who teaches the slave Ben-Hur to become a champion-caliber chariot racer.

MGM is said to be keen on Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov ("Wanted," "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter") vision which explores the original story's themes of revenge and redemption. Paramount will co-distribute the remake

Sean Daniel and Joni Levin will produce the film.

 Production begins in Europe early next year.