The casting information about the new take on the Ben-Hur story is coming in quicker than a speeding chariot. With director Timur Bekmambetov looking to set his cast quickly ready for shooting to gear up, Ouija** star Olivia Cooke is circling the role of Tirzah, Ben-Hur’s sister.
Taken once again from Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel, the new version aims to chronicle the younger days of Judah 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. After an accident he pins on his friend, he has him sold into slavery, while imprisoning his mother and sister. Cue a quest for revenge that includes (in the 1959 Charlton Heston film, at any rate) the iconic chariot race.
Morgan Freeman is already aboard to play Ildarin, the man who teaches Ben-Hur how to be a master at the reins for the races. Man Of Steel's Ayelet Zurer, meanwhile, will be back on Hero’s Mother duty, playing Naomi, Ben-Hur’s mum, while Pedro Pascal is also down to play a part. Keith Clarke wrote the original script, which John Ridley has since rewritten.
Cooke, who has also been seen in** The Quiet Ones **and The Signal, is part of Me & Earl & The Dying Girl, which has yet to secure a UK release. And she may not even end up in Ben-Hur, as The Wrap reports that she’s in demand for several films looking to kick off shooting early next year.