Ben-Hur Archives - Big Gay Picture Show

New Ben-Hur Trailer – The classic tale gets retold with Jack Huston & Toby Kebbell

June 14, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

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…]

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ACTORS: Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Nazanin Boniadi, Morgan Freeman DIRECTORS: Timur Bekmambetov FILMS: Ben-Hur

Ben-Hur Trailer – Jack Huston takes on the iconic role in Timur Bekmambetov’s movie

March 16, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

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.

However, the shoot went ahead with Jack Huston taking over from Charlton Heston in the title role, and now the first trailer, and a poster, are here.

The film will be in cinemas in August. [Read more…]

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ACTORS: Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Nazanin Boniadi, Morgan Freeman DIRECTORS: Timur Bekmambetov FILMS: Ben-Hur

Rodrigo Santoro Is Jesus (In the remake of Ben-Hur)

January 15, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Rodrigo Santoro is going from living god in the 300 movies to Son Of God in the planned remake of Ben-Hur, as he’s set to play Jesus in the movie, according to THR.

He joins Jack Huston as the title character, alongside Toby Kebbell as Messalla. While the two were friends as boys, with the coming of the Romans, Messalla betrays Ben-Hur, which results in his being sold into slavery. He then meets a character played by Morgan Freeman, who teaches him to become a champion chariot racer.

The story take place in parallel to that of Jesus, which its said will be more central to this version than the peripheral (and never properly seen) figure he was in the Oscar-winning 1959 version, hewing closer to Lew Wallace’s original 1880 novel.

Timur Bekmambetov is set to direct from a screenplay by Keith R. Clarke, with production set to kick off soon for a February 19th, 2016 release.

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ACTORS: Rodrigo Santoro, Toby Kebbell, Jack Huston DIRECTORS: Timur Bekmambetov FILMS: Ben-Hur

Wonder Woman Gal Gadot May Be Ben-Hur’s Female Lead

October 16, 2014 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

At the moment the majority of the general public couldn’t pick Gal Gadot out of a lineup (despite the fact she’s appeared in a few Fast & Furious movies), but Hollywood is betting big on the actress. She’s already lined up to play Wonder Woman in Batman V Superman and a solo movie, and now THR reports that she’s in early talks to take the female lead in the planned remake of Ben-Hur.

Assuming she signs on, she’ll join Jack Huston as the title character, alongside Toby Kebbell as Messalla. While the two were friends as boys, with the coming of the Romans Messalla betrays Ben-Hur, which results in his being sold into slavery. He then meets a character played by Morgan Freeman, who teaches him to become a champion chariot racer.

Gadot would play a fellow slave called Esther, who Ben-Hur falls for.

The story take place in parallel to that of Jesus, which its said will be more central to this version that the peripheral (and never properly seen) figure he was in the Oscar-winning 1959 version.

Timur Bekmambetov is set to direct from a screenplay by Keith R. Clarke, with production set to kick off early next year.

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ACTORS: Gal Gadot, Toby Kebbell, Jack Hustonn DIRECTORS: Timur Bekmambetov FILMS: Ben-Hur

Jack Huston Will Be Ben-Hur In The Planned Big Budget Remake

September 17, 2014 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

For a few years now Jack Huston has emerged as one of the most dependable younger actors for supporting roles in the likes of Twilight: Escape, Kill Your Darlings, American Hustle and in several seasons of Boardwalk Empire.

However he’s rarely been given the lead role, and certainly not in a huge studio tentpole. That’s changing though as MGM Studios and Paramount are betting big on him by casting him in the title role in their planned remake of Ben-Hur, according to Deadline.

Just a few weeks ago it was rumoured Tom Hiddleston was the first choice for the role, although at the time it was clear the actor was busy choosing between offers. Now it appears Hiddleston has gone for Skull Island instead, leaving Huston to take on Ben-Hur.

Keith R. Clarke wrote the spec script for the film, which is said to be more faithful to Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel than the multi-Oscar winning 1959 movie, which starred Charlton Heston. The 1950s version focussed on the section of the story that was about the feud between the Jewish Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) and his Roman former friend Messalla (Stephen Boyd). The new film is said to further explore these characters’ formative years, when they grew up together before the Roman Empire conquered Jerusalem.

This film will also include the story of Jesus Christ, whose story is told in parallel to Ben-Hur’s. Although this was touched on in the Charlton Heston film, it’s said to be more central to the remake.

The search is now on for an actor to play Messala. Morgan Freeman recently signed up to play the man who mentors Ben-Hur in the art of chariot racing.

Timur Bekmambetov is set to direct, with a February 26th, 2016 release date set.

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ACTORS: Jack Huston DIRECTORS: Timur Bekmambetov FILMS: Ben-Hur

Morgan Freeman Joins Timur Bekmambetov’s Ben-Hur Remake

September 12, 2014 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Morgan Freeman is a busy man, as just a day after it was revealed he’s going to appear in Ted 2, it’s been announced that he’s joined the cast of the planned remake of Ben-Hur, according to Deadline.

Keith R. Clarke wrote the spec script for the film with Timur Bekmambetov directing, which is said to be more faithful to Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel than the multi-Oscar winning 1959 movie, which starred Charlton Heston.

The 50s version focussed on the section of the story that details the feud between the Jewish Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) and his Roman former friend Messalla (Stephen Boyd). The new film is said to further explore these characters’ formative years, when they grew up together as best friends before the Roman Empire conquered Jerusalem.

The film will also include the story of Jesus Christ, whose story is told in parallel to Ben-Hur’s. Although this was touched on in the Charlton Heston film, it’s said to be more central to the remake.

Morgan Freeman is set to play Ildarin, the man who teaches Ben-Hur to become a champion charioteer.

It’s also reported that MGM and Paramount are close to officially signing the actors who will play Ben-Hur and Mesalla. Tom Hiddleston was recently reported to be top choice for the title role, but it’s not clear if he’s still in contention.

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ACTORS: Morgan Freeman DIRECTORS: Timur Bekmambetov FILMS: Ben-Hur

Tom Hiddleston Sought For Title Role In Ben-Hur Remake

August 13, 2014 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

For quite a while now a remake of Ben-Hur has been in the works. Now it’s starting to move towards production with Deadline reporting that Tom Hiddleston is MGM, Paramount Pictures and director Timur Bekmambetov’s top choice to play the lead role.

It doesn’t appear an official offer has been extended to the actor yet, and Hiddleston has other offers on the table, but it seems he’s the one the studios want.

Keith R. Clarke wrote the spec script for the film, which is said to be more faithful to Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel than the multi-Oscar winning 1959 movie, which starred Charlton Heston.

The 1950s version focussed on the section of the story that was about the feud between the Jewish Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) and his Roman former friend Messalla (Stephen Boyd). The new film is said to further explore these characters’ formative years, when they grew up together before the Roman Empire conquered Jerusalem.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Tom Hiddleston DIRECTORS: Timur Bekmambetov FILMS: Ben-Hur

Wanted’s Timur Bekmambetov Up To Direct Ben-Hur Remake

August 19, 2013 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

After the success of The Hobbit and Skyfall, the newly flush MGM started thinking about making a new version of Ben-Hur, snapping up a new spec script based on Lew Wallace’s classic novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace. Now they’re moving forward with the idea, as Deadline reports that Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter helmer Timur Bekmambetow is in talks to direct.

Early reports about the new script, by Keith R. Clarke (The Way Back), said it was very different to the Oscar-winning 1959 Charlton Heston-starrer and more faithful to the book. William Wyler’s film focused on the feud between Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) and Messalla (Stephen Boyd), but this new film will apparently explore the characters’ formative years, when they grew up as best friends before the Roman Empire conquered Jerusalem.

The script also features Jesus Christ, who encounters Ben-Hur and whose tale is told in parallel to the title character. Ben-Hur begins to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, before he is killed by Pontius Pilate.

It’s something very different to what Bekmambetov has made before, but he could certainly bring some style to the movie.

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DIRECTORS: Timur Bekmambetov FILMS: Ben-Hur