I may be completely wrong, but I’m finding it difficult to believe this new take on the classic Ben-Hur is going to be a hit. Indeed, it’s difficult to see why they thought a new version was necessary or desired, or indeed the Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’s Timur Bekmambetov was the man to helm it. Even so, it’s coming and a new trailer has now arrived.
Here’s the synopsis: ‘BEN-HUR is the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge, but finds redemption. Based on Lew Wallace’s timeless novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. Also starring Morgan Freeman and Rodrigo Santoro.’
At least Toby Kebbell has suggested the homoerotic undertones between Messala and Ben-Hur may make it across into this new version, which were present in the 1950s take. The film will be in cinemas in August. [Read more…]
Ever since it was announced that a new, big-budget film version of Ben-Hur was in the works, there have been a lot of people wondering whether we needed it. There was more reticence when it was announced that Timur Bekmambetov would direct, as the likes of Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter haven’t suggested he’s a perfect fit for an iconic epic.