Tom Hiddleston Wanted For Ben-Hur

He could be part of the new toga party

With Timur Bekmambetov in place to direct, John Ridley figuring out the latest script draft and a 2016 release date racing towards MGM and Paramount like a runaway chariot, it appears the team behind the new Ben-Hur adaptation have found who they want to play the titular hero. Their choice? Tom Hiddleston.

Before you start writing your Hur-ddleston fan fiction and dreaming up costume concepts, pull back on the reins. He’s only being wooed to take the part so far; talks have yet to even commence and Hiddleston is a man in demand, including for the drama Me Before You (which is also produced by MGM, so that could likely be worked out).

Taken once again from Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel, the new version aims to follow more of the younger days of Judah Ben-Hur and Messala, best friends growing up in Jerusalem before the Roman Empire takes over. Ben-Hur is a Jewish prince and Messala is the son of a Roman tax collector sent to be educated in Rome for five years. Upon his return, he mocks our hero for his religion, and, after an accident he pins on his friend, even finds a way for him to be sold into slavery. Cue a quest for revenge that culminates (at least in the 1959 Charlton Heston film) in the iconic chariot race.

Hiddleston has recently worked on Ben Wheatley’s latest, High-Rise and will be seen next year in Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak. He’s also busy acting (and singing) as Hank Williams in musical biopic I Saw The Light.

from Empire News