The 1959 film Ben-Hur is receiving a reboot, but with a bit of a different spin!
The 11-time Oscar winner Ben-Hur (tied for the most Oscars in history alongside Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) is receiving a reboot, after it originally hit theaters 54 years ago. MGM is producing the script Keith Clarke wrote, based upon the book Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ (the original film was also adapted from the book). However, Clarke’s script is focusing on some other aspects of the book that the 1959 film did not.
Below is the official synopsis of the original Ben-Hur, found on IMDB:
Judah Ben-Hur lives as a rich Jewish prince and merchant in Jerusalem at the beginning of the 1st century. Together with the new governor his old friend Messala arrives as commanding officer of the Roman legions. At first they are happy to meet after a long time but their different politic views separate them. During the welcome parade a roof tile falls down from Judah’s house and injures the governor. Although Messala knows they are not guilty, he sends Judah to the galleys and throws his mother and sister into prison. But Judah swears to come back and take revenge.
Indiewire points out the two biggest differences that the reboot will add:
Firstly, it will focus on the “formative years” of Judah Ben-Hur and Messala, leading up to the moment in which the latter betrays the former, selling him into slavery which (eventually) leads to revenge and chariot races. And oh yeah, this new version will feature a “parallel” story of Jesus Christ, who meets up with Ben-Hur at various points, and is eventually sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate.
Lately we’ve heard that many Christian-based movies are currently in production, including Darren Aronofsky’s Noah starring Russell Crowe and Emma Watson, a potential Pontius Pilate movie starring Brad Pitt, and Ridley Scott’s Moses.
What do you think about this Ben-Hur reboot? Who would you like to see star?
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