Jack Huston is 'Ben-Hur' in Timbur Bekmambetov's Remake

Most will recognize Jack Huston for his role as killer Richard Harrow on HBO's Boardwalk Empire, but he's quickly becoming known for his work on the big screen. He played Jack Kerouac in the underrated Kill Your Darlings, and found a spot in the star-studded American Hustle, romancing none other than Jennifer Lawrence. And more potential blockbusters have followed with Huston landing a lead role in Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, and now he's set to join Morgan Freeman in the upcoming remake of Ben-Hur.

Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) is directing the redo of the Charlton Heston classic, which will center on the blood feud between falsely-accused nobleman Judah Ben-Hur and his former best friend, Messala who has him thrown into slavery. The most recent draft of the script was written by Academy Award-winner John Ridley (12 Years a Slave), and will parallel Ben-Hur's story with that of Jesus Christ. Tom Hiddleston had been up eying the Ben-Hur role but he seems to be out. Huston had been testing for Messala until Bekmambetov decided he'd be a better fit for the lead.

This version will stick closer to Lew Wallace's novel than the 1959 film, which one eleven Academy Awards including Best Actor for Heston. It was a huge production for the time and this one promises to be even bigger with a special effects wiz like Bekmambetov behind the camera.