Jack Huston has scored the lead, titular role in Timur Bekmambetov's upcoming big budgeted Ben-Hur remake.

Morgan Freeman had already joined the cast, playing Ildarin, who teaches Ben-Hur how to go all fast and furious on a chariot, as he plots to take revenge on his best mate, Messala, whose betrayal saw poor Ben enslaved for a couple of decades. Not sound. Not sound at all, Messala.

Bekmambetov is not exactly known for doing straight up epics, but rather more verge of frenzy action movies that are generally fun and endlessly inventive. Night Watch and Wanted are great craic, but Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter didn't work at all.

The roles of Messala and Jesus Christ are yet to be cast; but expect some semblance of controversy when the latter happens, regardless of who it is.

Huston has appeared in a heap of projects, including the Irish shot Shrooms the HBO series Boardwalk Empire and American Hustle. 

Via Deadline