A staple of Christmas time/Sunday afternoon TV watching for many a family, Charlton Heston epic Ben Hur has been slated to receive the Hollywood remake treatment, and it appears as though MGM and Paramount have got their eyes locked on a new leading man to take on the iconic role; looking towards none other than Tom Hiddleston.
Clearly best known for his various appearances as the mischievous God Loki, brother of Thor, last seen in Thor: The Dark World, Hiddleston hasn’t yet officially signed on for the role, or even entered talks to star, but is currently sitting high atop the studios’ wish list to headline the film which will once again be based on the 1880 novel by Lew Wallace, but place more emphasis on the early years of Ben-Hur than Heston’s version.
A Gladiatorial tale involving a Jewish prince (Ben-Hur) who’s best friend Messala is sent to Rome for five years, before returning to Jerusalem, mocking Benny for his religion, and evening framing him for an accident and seeing his former friend sold into slavery, before Ben embarks on a quest for revenge ending in a rather spectacular chariot race, there’s no set date for filming to begin, but with Timur Bekmambetov (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) set to direct, and John Ridley (12 Years A Slave) currently working on the latest draft of the script, ahead of a 2016 release date, we can expect a lot more announcements to begin trickling out soon.
Matt Wheeldon – @TheMattWheeldon.
Source: Deadline.
