The release of a new version of Ben-Hur runs the risk of crashing into a pop culture landscape littered with sequels that nobody asked for and remakes or reboots that try to put their own spin on movies that are considered classics. This new adaptation of Lew Wallace Novel did not generate a wave of on line hate by fans with claims of ruined childhood memories, but this production faces something even more intimidating. The previous version of Wallace's work became an Oscar titan in 1959, taking the golden statue home in eleven categories including Best Picture.

But even with the Charlton Heston classic casting a deep shadow and studios that  insisted that modern audiences would not care for a new Judah Ben-Hur, producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, who succeeded with the challenge of turning The Bible into a worldwide event miniseries, felt a real sense of urgency in bringing a new take of this story to the screen. "The message of Jesus, forgiveness in particular, is so needed in the world right now," stated Burnett during the films press junket in Los Angeles. "The whole world is hurting, especially in the United States, and a movie that illustrates that revenge does not provide happiness feels extremely important and relevant. Reconciliation and forgiveness is the only way. This is nuanced through this movie so you don't feel like you're being led down a path. It is a message given by the emotional experience of being immersed with this story. And we're absolutely grateful to be able to put a film like this out into the world when it needs it the most."

For Downey, the message of the film was key in becoming part of the project but not it's only appeal. "Audiences don't really go to the movies for a message. Sometimes the right place to get a message is a church. Here what we wanted to say is present like a sort of a Trojan Horse. This is  first and foremost a huge and epic action adventure movie." The key for said trojan horse to work was the screenplay by John Ridley, who won an Oscar for writing  12 Years a Slave. The producers credit his work as "a real page turner and the main reason why we stayed with this projects for so many years," assured Downey.

After finding a modern take on a classic story, the next step was finding the right actor to fill Charlton Heston' "huge sandals" on the big screen.  After a world wide casting search, the new Ben-Hur turned out to be someone who was a big fan of Charlton Heston's version. "The 1959 version of this story was my first big experience of cinema as a child," said British actor Jack Huston. "And as someone who has deep, deep affection for that film, I could appreciate how this one was different. That it was not a tale of revenge but one that focused on forgiveness and redemption."

Even after being a long time fan of the 1959 classic, the actor could never imagine playing the titular character. When he showed up for his audition, Huston had his sights set on Messala. The protagonist's brother who causes a family tragedy after joining the roman Army. "Initially, I never thought they would cast me as Judah. That role is meant to go to a big Hollywood star," said Huston with a big smile. "But even so, I always loved the role of Messala. I always thought that he was one of the most misunderstood characters, because in this story I don't think there is one person who is in the wrong. I think that is one of the great things about this story. But the director told me later that I came in and I spoke so passionately about that character, that he was able to feel real love for him, And that was the key to this version of Ben-Hur. He loves Messala."

Playing the role of Messala is Toby Kebbell, a dedicated actor who matched Huston's passion and who took on the production's physical challenges with equal gusto. "It was quite thrilling to realize that we were going to be doing the film's most famous sequence for real," says Kebbell of the climatic chariot race that required three months of training, 32 days of principal photography and an additional two months of work with the second unit of the film. Even with all of that, Kebbell insists that for him there was an even bigger challenge: working with Morgan Freeman. "He has always been the actor that I admire the most, so not being intimidated by him was a huge challenge for sure," said Kebbell between smiles while remembering his brief time with the film icon. "I only wish I had more scenes with him. But he did not disappoint. He is just mesmerizing as a person and as a performer."

While Academy Award Winner Morgan Freeman assures that he pays no attention to being considered an icon ("There's a real danger that eventually you will believe that it's true"), the actor has an even more practical reason for being part of this project. "This is the job that I've been wanting to do since I was eight years old. So I'll take any chance of doing good work with a good group of people and this was an opportunity to do that," stated Freeman in earnest. Even so, the actor was quick to echo the producer's sentiment on the importance of having Ben-Hur's journey back on the big screen. "I don't know if this the movie that people want but is definitely the one we need," assures Freeman. "People go around saying that our country is ripped apart and divided. And I say, When have we not been? So on that regard it feels right to put forward a story that shows  the way to forgiveness and how that closes that divide." 

Ben-Hur hits theatres August 19th.