BOARDWALK EMPIRE Star Jack Huston to Lead BEN-HUR Remake

The upcoming BEN-HUR remake has found its leading man. Deadline writes that BOARDWALK EMPIRE's Jack Huston will star in MGM and Paramount's revamped drama. Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) directs the project, based on Lew Wallace's 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ.

Morgan Freeman also just boarded the reboot as 'Ildarin', described as "the man who teaches the slave Ben-Hur to become a champion-caliber chariot racer". 'Messala', Ben-Hur's friend-turned-rival, will be the next big role to fill.

The screenplay, originally written by Keith Clarke (The Way Back), with revisions by Academy Award-winner John Ridley (12 Years A Slave), is based on Lew Wallace's 1880 epic novel Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ.

Roma Downey (The Bible) and Ridley will serve as executive producers along with Keith Clarke and Jason F. Brown. Mark Burnett, Sean Daniel (The Mummy Franchise) and Joni Levin (The Way Back) are also on the producing team.

The film returns to the heart of Lew Wallace's epic novel focusing on the nature of faith. The story follows a falsely accused nobleman who survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend who betrayed him. Both must come to choose between retribution or forgiveness.

Huston's upcoming projects include Posthumous, The Longest Ride, Famous and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. He also recently appeared on the big screen in American Hustle and Kill Your Darlings. He is best known for his role as 'Richard Harrow' in the TV series Boardwalk Empire.

BEN-HUR is set for release on February 26, 2016.