WASHINGTON, September 23 (RIA Novosti) – Russian-Kazakh filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov has been confirmed as the director of an upcoming “reboot” of “Ben-Hur,” the sword- and- sandals epic set during the time of Christ, an entertainment website has reported.
Rumors that Bekmambetov might direct a new version for movie studio MGM first surfaced in reports in August. MGM has since confirmed that it has signed Bekmambetov to direct, Deadline.com reported Friday.
Bekmambetov’s “Ben-Hur” will be the third cinematic adaptation of Lew Wallace’s bestselling novel about Ben-Hur, a Jewish nobleman who is sold into slavery but ultimately converts to Christianity after meeting Jesus Christ.
The first Ben-Hur was a silent film was released in 1925. The second, starring Charlton Heston in the title role, was released in 1959 and won a still unsurpassed 11 Oscars, a record only equaled by 1997’s “Titanic” and 2003’s “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” according to History.com.
Bekmambetov’s “Ben-Hur” comes at a time when biblical stories are hot property in Hollywood. “Noah” starring Russell Crowe as the ark builder is currently in post-production according to the IMDB, while “Dark Knight” star Christian Bale will play Moses in “Exodus,” to be helmed by “Blade Runner” director Ridley Scott, according to Deadline.com.
Bekmambetov shot to global fame with the 2004 release of the Russian vampire blockbuster “Night Watch.” His most recent film was 2012’s “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” according to the IMDB.
