MGM hires Mark Burnett, Roma Downey to produce ‘Ben-Hur’ remake
The character made famous by Charlton Heston will be back. Paramount, MGM have hired The Bible, Son of God creators Mark Burnett and Roma Downey to produce a remake of the classic Ben-Hur.
“We are thrilled to have Mark and Roma join the production team to bring such an indelible classic story to the big screen,” MGM CEO Gary Barber said in a statement Sunday.
“Their unrivaled passion, creativity and success in the faith-based content space will be a huge asset to the film, and we look forward to working together,” he said.
Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer, the group behind the movement that played a role in Phil Robertson’s return to “Duck Dynasty,” applauded the move.
He said the decision was a sign that Hollywood had learned its lesson from the film “Noah,” which got a chilly reception from Christian audiences.
“If Faith Driven Consumers were a core target for ‘Noah,’ Darren Aronofsky (an atheist) was the wrong choice,” he said in a statement.
“Having left untold millions on the table with that film,” he continued, “Paramount appears to have learned from its mistakes and to be taking a completely new approach with the upcoming remake of ‘Ben-Hur’ by signing producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey.”
Kazakh director Timur Bekmambetov is set to direct the film. Timur directed the crime thriller Wanted and then 2012’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
The studio, also behind the Oscar-winning 1959 version, has yet to announce who will step into Heston’s sandals to play Judah Ben-Hur, the Jewish prince seeking vengeance after being betrayed and sold into slavery.
No official dates are set, but the studio seems to be pressing for a 2016 release.