Update 09/23: Timur Bekmambetov is confirmed to direct the “Ben-Hur” remake.
Yes, “Ben-Hur” is getting a remake because Hollywood can’t leave well enough alone, and all we know about this new project thus far is that it will center on the “formative years” of Judah Ben-Hur and Messala, leading up to the moment in which the latter betrays the former, selling him into slavery which (eventually) leads to revenge and chariot races. And because Bible stories are so hot right now (Darren Aronofsky‘s “Noah,” Ridley Scott‘s “Exodus“), there will also be a plot thread involving Jesus Christ, who meets up with Ben-Hur at various points throughout the film. Well, now the project is looking for a director, and apparently, the guy responsible for “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” is being considered.
Deadline reports that Timur Bekmambetov is in negotiations with MGM, but that it’s not a sure thing at this point. But if anything, the hiring of Bekmambetov at least suggests some of an amped up take on the Lew Wallace novel. He’s certainly a hugely unexpected choice, so we’ll give the studio that, but also a worrisome one considering the filmmaker’s track record. Oh, are we being too harsh on the dude? Maybe he has really great intentions? Well, let us point you in the direction of “Squirrels.”
Yes, this is a real movie—you can watch the trailer below (via io9)—about an army of flesh-eating squirrels who wreak havoc after their habitat is ruined by a gas company or something. Bekmambetov is producing this piece of cinema history, and yes, also wants to crack the whip on “Ben-Hur.” Either dude has some very wide-ranging taste or something doesn’t quite make sense. Anyway, see that masterwork below.