AceShowbiz -

Tom Hiddleston is not MGM and Paramount's choice for "Ben-Hur" after all. It has just been announced that "Boardwalk Empire" star Jack Huston has been cast as the titular role in the remake which already snagged Morgan Freeman to play the role of Ben-Hur's mentor Ildarin.

Actors who auditioned for the movie had to read for both Judah Ben-Hur and his close friend-turned-rival Messala. Huston was leaning towards the latter but director Timur Bekmambetov thought he had the "sympathetic manner and grit to play the title role," Deadline reported. Hiddleston's name was once attached to the role but apparently that did not work out. It is yet known which actor has landed the role of Messala.

The "Ben-Hur" remake is an adaptation of Lew Wallace's 1880 novel titled "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ". The story follows a falsely accused nobleman who survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend who betrayed him. Both must come to choose between retribution or forgiveness.

Bekmambetov will start filming in Europe next year for a February 26, 2016 release. Keith Clarke wrote the script which was later rewritten by John Ridley of "12 Years a Slave".