Pedro Pascal is set to play Pontius Pilate in ‘Ben-Hur’.
The ‘Game of Thrones’ actor is in talks with MGM and Paramount bosses to land the role in Timur Bekmambetov’s forthcoming biblical blockbuster, in which he would star alongside Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Morgan Freeman and Gal Gadot.
The movie, which is based on Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel ‘Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ’, is scheduled for release in November 2016.
The film 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.
The original 1959 film starred Charles Heston and won 11 Oscars.
Pedro Pascal in line for Ben-Hur role
