Ben-Hur (2016 film)


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==Marketing==

==Marketing==

Two exclusive photos of the film were released by ''[[USA Today]]'' on March 14, 2016.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/03/14/ben-hur-movie-sneak-peek/81731732/|title=Sneak peek: Jack Huston takes reins of new 'Ben-Hur'|author=Brian Truitt|work=[[USA TODAY]]|date=March 14, 2016|accessdate=March 15, 2016}}</ref> On March 15, [[Entertainment Tonight]] released a world exclusive premiere of some of the scenes of the chariot race<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.etonline.com/movies/184595_exclusive_world_premiere_watch_epic_chariot_race_from_the_new_ben_hur/|title=EXCLUSIVE WORLD PREMIERE: Watch Epic Chariot Race From the New 'Ben-Hur'|author=Raphael Chestang|work=[[Entertainment Tonight]]|date=March 15, 2016|accessdate=March 16, 2016}}</ref> and on the same day the first trailer was released.

Two exclusive photos of the film were released by ''[[USA Today]]'' on March 14, 2016.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/03/14/ben-hur-movie-sneak-peek/81731732/|title=Sneak peek: Jack Huston takes reins of new 'Ben-Hur'|author=Brian Truitt|work=[[USA TODAY]]|date=March 14, 2016|accessdate=March 15, 2016}}</ref> On March 15, [[Entertainment Tonight]] released a world exclusive premiere of some of the scenes of the chariot race<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.etonline.com/movies/184595_exclusive_world_premiere_watch_epic_chariot_race_from_the_new_ben_hur/|title=EXCLUSIVE WORLD PREMIERE: Watch Epic Chariot Race From the New 'Ben-Hur'|author=Raphael Chestang|work=[[Entertainment Tonight]]|date=March 15, 2016|accessdate=March 16, 2016}}</ref> and on the same day the first official trailer was released online.<ref>{{cite web|url=First 'Ben-Hur' Reboot Trailer Arrives|title=First 'Ben-Hur' Reboot Trailer Arrives|author=Mia Galuppo|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=March 16, 2016|accessdate=March 17, 2016}}</ref>



Luke Y. Thompson of ''[[Forbes]]'' gave the trailer a negative review, comparing it to ''[[300: Rise of an Empire]]''. He crticized the trailer for giving too much emphasis on action and violence and overall for its cheap looking costumes, CGI and editing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/lukethompson/2016/03/16/ben-hur-trailer-emphasizes-action-not-jesus/#5a64d0497ba7|title='Ben-Hur' Trailer Emphasizes Action, Not Jesus|author=Luke Y. Thompson|work=[[Forbes]]|date=March 16, 2016|accessdate=March 17, 2016}}</ref>

Luke Y. Thompson of ''[[Forbes]]'' gave the trailer a negative review, comparing it to ''[[300: Rise of an Empire]]''. He crticized the trailer for giving too much emphasis on action and violence and overall for its cheap looking costumes, CGI and editing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/lukethompson/2016/03/16/ben-hur-trailer-emphasizes-action-not-jesus/#5a64d0497ba7|title='Ben-Hur' Trailer Emphasizes Action, Not Jesus|author=Luke Y. Thompson|work=[[Forbes]]|date=March 16, 2016|accessdate=March 17, 2016}}</ref>

Ben-Hur

Teaser poster

Directed byTimur Bekmambetov
Screenplay byKeith R. Clarke
John Ridley
StarringJack Huston
Morgan Freeman
Toby Kebbell
Nazanin Boniadi
Rodrigo Santoro
CinematographyOliver Wood
Edited byDody Dorn
Music byMarco Beltrami
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures

Release date

  • August 12, 2016 (United States)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Ben-Hur is an upcoming American historical epic film directed by Timur Bekmambetov and written by Keith R. Clarke and John Ridley. It is based on the 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace. Prior film adaptations of the book include the 1925 film and the 1959 film of same name. The film stars Jack Huston, Morgan Freeman, Toby Kebbell, Nazanin Boniadi and Rodrigo Santoro. Principal photography began on February 2, 2015 in Rome, Italy and lasted for about 6 months finishing in August 2015.

The film is scheduled to be released on August 12, 2016.

Plot

A nobleman Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston) is falsely accused of an assassination attempt by his boyhood friend Messala (Toby Kebbell). He survives years of slavery under the Romans and attempts to get revenge.

Cast

a Jewish prince in Roman-occupied Jerusalem who is betrayed and falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala and is sentenced to a life of slavery. Ben-Hur loses everything and spends five years in the galley of a Roman slave ship and later takes on the Roman Empire and avenges his adoptive brother in a grand chariot race while finding redemption and being forever changed after a series of encounters with Jesus Christ.[1][2][3] Huston said he felt "incredibly honored to be stepping into Charlton Heston's sandals."[4] He was initially offered the role of Messala, but director Bekmambetov decided instead he had the sympathetic manner and grit to play the title role.[5] Bekmambetov found Huston to be an actor who not only was a "well-built, experienced horseman" but one who "felt like he was born in that era." He said, "I wouldn't be surprised if some of Jack's many famous ancestors took part in an actual fight between Romans and Judaeans [sic] we depict in our film."[1] Tom Hiddleston was originally considered for the role.[6]
a sheik who trains Ben-Hur to become a charioteer to avenge his brother, Messala.[2]
Ben-Hur's childhood friend and adoptive brother who betrays Ben-Hur and an officer in the Roman army.[1][2][7]
a Jewish slave and the love interest of Ben-Hur.[8][2] Actresses Gal Gadot, Sofia Boutella, Moran Atias and Natalia Warner were all considered for the role during development.[9][10]
Unlike in the original film, Christ will have a prominent role in this version.[11][12][3] Paramount Picture's vice chairman, Rob Moore stated that Christ in this version "is going to be consistent with people's expectations," and that the "expectations of the faithful will be honored by this one." This was because Paramount wants to avoid the sort of backlash received by Darren Aronofsky's Noah in which some Christians were dismayed by the film's sometimes inventive and inaccurate interpretation of the Bible.[13][14] Santoro received personal blessings from Pope Francis for his role as Christ.[15]
Ben-Hur's sister.[16][2]
Ben-Hur's mother.[17][2]
a teenage Jewish zealot whose family has been murdered by the Romans and is desperate to fight for his people's freedom.[18][19][2]
the Judean governor who oversees the chariot race.[20][2]
a Roman captain who is involved with the betrayal by Messala that sends Ben-Hur on his path to redemption.[21]

Production

Development

In 2013, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquired Keith R. Clarke's script, an adaptation of Lew Wallace's 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, which is in the public domain.[23] In April 2014, Paramount Pictures and MGM announced that they will co-produce a new version of Ben-Hur, based on the novel with Mark Burnett and Roma Downey serving to produce and executive produce.[24] MGM had previously released two films based on the book, the 1925 silent film and the more famous 1959 film of same name after which the rights of the later film was sold to Ted Turner in the 1980s.[24] MGM had just emerged from bankruptcy due to the global success of the twenty-third James Bond film, Skyfall which grossed over $1.109 billion at the box office worldwide including $302 million in the United States and Canada and Paramount was having their share of success at that time with Noah.[24][25] Later John Ridley (12 Years a Slave) was hired to revise the script with Sean Daniel, Burnett and Joni Levin attached to produce and Downey, Clarke and Jason Brown executive producing.[24][23] Duncan Henderson was later attached to produce while John Ridley to executive producer.[2] It was also announced that the new film will differ much from the 1959 film and will deal with the formative relationships of Ben-Hur and Messala growing up as best friends before the Roman Empire took control of Jerusalem and that Christ will have a prominent role.[24]

In June 2015, Rob Moore, the vice chairman of Paramount explained that this version is not so much a remake of the 1959 film, but a new interpretation of the Lew Wallace novel on which both are based.[13]

Casting

Tom Hiddleston was considered for the title role, Judah Ben-Hur.[26] On September 11, Morgan Freeman was added to the cast to play Sheik Ilderim, the man who teaches Ben-Hur to become a champion chariot racer.[27] On September 16, Jack Huston was cast in the title role.[28] On September 18, sources confirmed that Toby Kebbell was in early talks to play the villain, Messala.[29] On October 15, Gal Gadot was in talks to join the film for the female lead role as Esther, a slave with whom Ben-Hur is in love.[30] Pedro Pascal from the TV series Game of Thrones was in talks to play Pontius Pilate.[31] On October 30, TheWrap confirmed that Gadot's negotiations with Paramount and MGM had ended and the actress withdrew due to scheduling conflicts with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.[32] On November 4, Marwan Kenzari was added to the cast as Druses, a Roman captain.[33] On November 11, Ayelet Zurer was in final negotiations to play Naomi, Judah Ben-Hur's mother[17] (Miriam in the book and the 1959 adaptation). On November 13, Olivia Cooke was being considered for Tirzah, Ben-Hur's sister.[34] On December 2, Nazanin Boniadi was confirmed to as Esther, winning the role over actresses Sofia Boutella, Moran Atias and Natalia Warner.[8] On January 12, 2015, Sofia Black D'Elia was cast in the film as Ben-Hur's sister, Tirzah, a role once offered to Cooke.[16] On January 13, Rodrigo Santoro was announced as Jesus.[11] On January 20, Moisés Arias was added to the cast to play Gestas, a teenage Jewish zealot who is desperate to fight for freedom after his family has been murdered by the Romans.[18] On January 21, Pilou Asbæk was cast as Pontius Pilate, replacing Pascal for the role.[20]

Filming

The chariot race was originally planned to film at the Circus Maximus arena in Rome, where the original film was shot, but were denied access due to fear that the stunts would damage the historic site.[35]

On February 2, 2015, MGM and Paramount Pictures announced that principle photography had begun and that, like the original film, filming would take place in Italy, specifically in Rome and Matera.[2] The Sassi di Matera in Basilicata and the Cinecittà studios in Rome were also chosen among the film settings.[36][37] In most instances, CGI were used extensively. However, producers tried to do as little CGI as possible in moments where it wasn't heavily needed.[38] Producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett chose Matera as a location for Jerusalem, one of the same locations where Mel Gibson's biblical pic The Passion of the Christ was filmed.[3] Exterior shooting finished in early April 2015 and lasted for two months.[39]

Production then moved to Cinecittà Studios where interior shooting took place for four months including the chariot scene among others.[40][41] The famous chariot race sequence was originally planned to be filmed in the Circus Maximus arena in Rome where the original film was shot, however, producers were denied access by Italy's national cultural authorities due to fears that the stunts would damage the fragile historic site, which was under restoration at that time.[35][42] The decision was approved by locals as well as Rome's mayor, Ignazio Marino who lamented on the decision saying, "The aim of the city administration isn't so much to raise revenue in exchange for the use of public space, but to give back to Rome the role of being a big international set, which is in our history and our tradition."[35] According to sources obtained by The Guardian, the decision to forbid Ben-Hur from filming there was due to "technical" issues.[35] Though no official reasons have been given, archaeological experts speculate that the influx of heavy filming vehicles and hundreds of extras to the arena could cause untold damage to the site.[43][44] However, the Italian cultural misnister, Dario Franceschini declined to make any comments.[35] As a result, producers were forced to film the scene at the Cinecittà Studios where much of the orignal film was also shot.[35] Although it is not clear whether the filmmakers had planned to use that location for the main chariot race, which is supposed to take place in Antioch, or if they were planning to shoot one of the earlier races that Judah Ben-Hur takes part in while he is still living in Rome.[39] For the scene, Huston and Kebbell spent two and a half months rehearsing in Italy,[1] six days a week.[38]

Marketing

Two exclusive photos of the film were released by USA Today on March 14, 2016.[1] On March 15, Entertainment Tonight released a world exclusive premiere of some of the scenes of the chariot race[45] and on the same day the first official trailer was released online.[46]

Luke Y. Thompson of Forbes gave the trailer a negative review, comparing it to 300: Rise of an Empire. He crticized the trailer for giving too much emphasis on action and violence and overall for its cheap looking costumes, CGI and editing.[47]

Release

Ben-Hur was originally planned to be released on February 26, 2016 in the United States and Canada but Paramount later moved it to August 12, 2016.[48] It is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom and Ireland on August 26, two weeks after its U.S. premiere.[49] According to Variety, this decision may have been due to the studio's faith in summer being the best time to unspool a tentpole epic.[48] Deadline.com called the date a prime time for the studio after witnessing success with the release of Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Teenage Tuntant Ninja Turtles during the month of August. Furthermore, the site also highlighted that the 2016 Summer Olympics will be an ideal platform for the studio to promote the film and since mid-August has proven to be the last point of time in the summer for a film to accrue large amount of revenue before weekend box office performances drop from Labor Day holiday onwards.[50][51] But the site also found the decision to be peculiar since the date has already been occupied by four films: Pete's Dragon, Sausage Party, Spectral and The Shack.[50]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Brian Truitt (March 14, 2016). "Sneak peek: Jack Huston takes reins of new 'Ben-Hur'". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "MGM and Paramount Start Principal Photography on Ben-Hur". comingsoon.net. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c Vincent Funaro (October 15, 2015). "'Passion of the Christ' Film Location Helped Bring 'Ben-Hur' Remake to Life". Christian Post. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  4. ^ Raphael Chestang (March 15, 2016). "EXCLUSIVE WORLD PREMIERE: Watch Epic Chariot Race From the New 'Ben-Hur'". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  5. ^ Mike Fleming Jr (September 16, 2014). "'Ben-Hur' Remake: 'Boardwalk Empire's Jack Huston Lands Title Role". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  6. ^ Mike Fleming Jr (August 12, 2014). "Sweet Chariot! Tom Hiddleston Courted For 'Ben-Hur' Title Role". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  7. ^ Denise Petski (March 16, 2016). "'Ben-Hur' Trailer: Jack Huston Takes The Chariot's Reins". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Fleming Jr, Mike (December 2, 2014). "'Homeland's Nazanin Boniadi Wins 'Ben-Hur' Female Lead". deadline.com. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  9. ^ Borys Kit and Rebecca Ford (October 15, 2014). "Gal Gadot Circling Female Lead in 'Ben-Hur' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  10. ^ Mike Fleming Jr (December 2, 2014). "'Homeland's Nazanin Boniadi Wins 'Ben-Hur' Female Lead". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  11. ^ a b Kit, Borys (January 13, 2015). "Rodrigo Santoro to Play Jesus Christ in MGM's 'Ben-Hur' Remake". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  12. ^ Mike Fleming Jr (January 14, 2013). "Sweet Chariot! MGM is Rebooting 'Ben-Hur'". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Michael Cieply (June 25, 2015). "Paramount Promises Respectful Portrayal of Jesus in 'Ben-Hur'". The New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  14. ^ Tatiana Siegel (March 16, 2016). "Why Religious Movies Are Luring Mainstream Stars". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  15. ^ (Press release) (April 18, 2015). "Pope Francis blesses actor playing Jesus in 'Ben-Hur' film". Christian Today. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  16. ^ a b Yamato, Jen (January 12, 2015). "Sofia Black-D'Elia Lands 'Ben-Hur' Role". deadline.com. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  17. ^ a b Ford, Rebecca; Kit, Borys (November 11, 2014). "'Man of Steel' Actress in Talks for 'Ben-Hur'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  18. ^ a b Yamato, Jen (January 20, 2015). "'Ben-Hur' Adds Moises Arias". deadline.com. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  19. ^ Jen Yamato (January 20, 2015). "'Ben-Hur' Adds Moises Arias; Luna Blaise Joins James Franco's 'Memoria'". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  20. ^ a b Ge, Linda; Sneider, Jeff (January 21, 2015). "'Lucy' Star Pilou Asbæk to Play Pontius Pilate in 'Ben-Hur'". thewrap.com. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  21. ^ Jen Yamato (November 4, 2014). "Asian Pop Star Jay Chou Cast In 'Now You See Me 2', Marwan Kenzari Joins 'Ben-Hur'". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  22. ^ Game of Thrones actor James Cosmo takes on Cycle Zambia challenge for Street Child Africa
  23. ^ a b Dave McNarry (March 16, 2016). "[WATCH] 'Ben-Hur' Remake Trailer: Jack Huston Stars in Reboot". Variety. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  24. ^ a b c d e Mike Fleming Jr (January 14, 2013). "Sweet Chariot! MGM is Rebooting 'Ben-Hur'". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  25. ^ "'Ben-Hur' remake set for 2016 release". USA Today. April 25, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  26. ^ "Sweet Chariot! Tom Hiddleston Courted For 'Ben-Hur' Title Role". deadline.com.
  27. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (September 11, 2014). "Morgan Freeman Set For 'Ben-Hur' Redo". deadline.com. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  28. ^ Kroll, Justin (September 16, 2014). "MGM and Paramount Tap Jack Huston to Play 'Ben-Hur'". variety.com. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  29. ^ Kroll, Justin (September 18, 2014). "Toby Kebbell Eyes Villainous Role in 'Ben-Hur' Remake". variety.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  30. ^ Ford, Rebecca (October 15, 2014). "Gal Gadot Circling Female Lead in 'Ben-Hur'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  31. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (October 15, 2014). "'Game Of Thrones' Pedro Pascal In Talks To Play Pontius Pilate In 'Ben-Hur'". deadline.com. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  32. ^ Sneider, Jeff (October 30, 2014). "'Batman v Superman' Shoot Forces Gal Gadot to Pass on 'Ben-Hur'". thewrap.com. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  33. ^ Yamato, Jen (November 4, 2014). "Marwan Kenzari Joins 'Ben-Hur'". deadline.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  34. ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 13, 2014). "'Ouija' Star Olivia Cooke May Play Jack Huston's Sister in 'Ben-Hur' Remake". thewrap.com. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  35. ^ a b c d e f Stephanie Kirchgaessner (March 9, 2015). "Ben-Hur remake filming banned from Rome's Circus Maximus". The Guardian. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  36. ^ "Ben-Hur: Italy's Matera the film location of choice". theaustralian.com.au. November 27, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  37. ^ "Hollywood on the Tiber 2: The return of Cinecittà". swide.com. December 3, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  38. ^ a b Alicia Rancilio (February 10, 2016). "Jack Huston: The 'Ben-Hur' remake was an epic undertaking". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  39. ^ a b Peter T. Chattaway (April 2, 2015). "Ben-Hur begins its four-month shoot at Cinecitta Studios". Patheos. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  40. ^ Nancy Tartaglione (April 1, 2015). "BAFTA Breakthrough Brits Opened Up; Ben-Hur Races To Cinecitta: Global Briefs". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  41. ^ Ryan Lattanzio (April 1, 2015). "MGM's 'Ben-Hur' Starts Shooting at Rome's Storied Cinecittà Studios". Indiewire. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  42. ^ Katie Granger (August 26, 2015). "Ben-Hur: How Will The Remake Measure Up?". Moviepilot. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  43. ^ Paul Whitington (May 10, 2015). "Film... 'Ben Hur': The epic that broke the mould". The Independent. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  44. ^ Ariston Anderson (November 3, 2015). "'Ben-Hur' Remake Blocked From Filming at Historic Rome Site". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  45. ^ Raphael Chestang (March 15, 2016). "EXCLUSIVE WORLD PREMIERE: Watch Epic Chariot Race From the New 'Ben-Hur'". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  46. ^ Mia Galuppo (March 16, 2016). [First 'Ben-Hur' Reboot Trailer Arrives "First 'Ben-Hur' Reboot Trailer Arrives"]. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  47. ^ Luke Y. Thompson (March 16, 2016). "'Ben-Hur' Trailer Emphasizes Action, Not Jesus". Forbes. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  48. ^ a b Dave McNary (October 21, 2015). "'Ben-Hur' Remake Moved to August". Variety. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  49. ^ James White (March 15, 2016). "First look at Jack Huston in the new Ben-Hur". Empire. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  50. ^ a b Patrick Hipes (October 21, 2015). "Paramount Pushes 'Ben-Hur' Release To August 2016". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  51. ^ Mia Galuppo (October 21, 2015). "'Ben-Hur' Pushed to Summer 2016, 'Anomalisa' Gets Holiday Release". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 15, 2016.