Tom Hiddleston is the top choice to take the lead role in 'Ben-Hur', but he may be too busy with other commitments.
Tom Hiddleston is being eyed to take the lead role in 'Ben-Hur'The 33-year-old actor is reportedly the top choice for director Timur Bekmambetov and studios MGM and Paramount to play Judah Ben-Hur in the forthcoming big screen adaptation of Lew Wallace's 1880 classic novel 'Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Chris', Deadline reports.
However, movie bosses may not get their wish as Hiddleston has a number of other projects in the pipeline, including 'Me Before You' for MGM.
The new version of the movie, which has a scheduled release date of 2016, aims to follow the younger days of Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur and his childhood friend Messala, who grew up in Jerusalem before the Roman Empire takes over. When Messala, the son of a tax collector, returns from five years studying in Rome, he mocks his old pal for his religion and, following an accident, finds a way to have him sold into slavery, prompting Ben-Hur to embark on a quest for revenge.
Keith Clarke originally wrote the script for the movie, with '12 Years a Slave' writer John Ridley penning the most recent draft.
Mark Burnett and Roma Downey joined Sean Daniel and Joni Levin as producers, with Clarke and Jason Brown executive producing.
Hiddleston has recently worked on 'High-Rise' and is currently making Hank Williams biopic 'I Saw The Light'.
He will next be seen on screen next year in Guillermo del Toro's 'Crimson Peak'.
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