Luckily, MGM and partner Paramount have signed up a visually sophisticated director adept at rip-roaring action and VFX (see “Night Watch” and “Wanted”): Moscow-based director Timur Bekmambetov. “Boardwalk Empire” and “American Hustle” star Jack Huston is beefing up to take on the Heston role of Judah Ben-Hur, and principal photography on the new “Ben-Hur” (February 26, 2016) has begun in Rome and Matera, Italy.
Producers are Sean Daniel (“The Mummy” franchise), Mark Burnett (Bible epic “Son of God”), Joni Levin (“The Way Back”) and Duncan Henderson (“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”). The creative team includes Director of Photography Oliver Wood, Production Designer Naomi Shohan, Costume Designer Varvava Avdyushko, Visual Effects Supervisor Jim Rygiel and Special Effects Supervisor Andy Williams.
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