Toby Kebbell Boards BEN-HUR Remake

According to Variety, Toby Kebbell has just signed on for MGM and Paramount's revamped drama, co-starring Jack Huston and Morgan Freeman.

Kebbell will take on the role of 'Messala', Ben-Hur's friend-turned-rival.

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.

Kebbell will also appear in the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot as 'Dr. Doom.' His other recent projects include Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Buddha's Little Finger and Warcraft. Past credits include The Counselor, The East, Wrath of the Titans, War Horse, The Veteran, The Conspirator, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time and more.

To post a comment, you must register and login.