Every Hollywood era seems to have a Ben-Hur to call its own. This one may not have the star power of Charlton Heston’s 1959 version or the groundbreaking action of the 1925 silent, but it’s not short of spectacle. It also has a new trailer to share with you.
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, this latest Ben-Hur pledges to skirt closer to Lew Wallace's book than the 1959 film. It'll chronicle the younger days of Ben-Hur (Jack Huston) and Messala (Toby Kebbell), best friends growing up in Jerusalem. Ben-Hur is a Jewish prince and Messala the son of a Roman tax collector who is packed off to be educated in Rome for five years.
Upon his return, Messala mocks our hero for his religion and, after an accident he pins on his friend, has him sold into slavery. Cue a quest for revenge that includes the chariot race made iconic by the Heston film.
Morgan Freeman is Ildarin, the man who teaches our lead how to be a master at the reins for the races, while Nazanin Boniadi is Esther, Rodrigo Santoro is Jesus and Pilou Asbaek is Pontius Pilate. Ben-Hur is out in the UK on August 26.