Morgan Freeman joins Timur Bekmambetov’s ‘Ben-Hur’ remake

Freeman is set to play the role of Ildarin, the man who teaches the slave Judah Ben-Hur to become a champion-caliber chariot racer.

An actor is yet to be cast as Messala, Ben-Hur’s friend-turned-rival.

‘Ben-Hur’ is an adaptation of Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel titled ‘Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ’. This version will focus on the blood feud between Ben-Hur and Messala, who grow up best friends before the Roman Empire takes control of Jerusalem.

Ben-Hur is a Jewish prince and Messala is the son of a Roman tax collector.

Timur Bekmambetov is directing the film which will be released on February 26, 2016 as a joint project between MGM and Paramount.