MGM and Paramount Pictures have chosen their star for Ben-Hur, the upcoming remake of the 1959 classic of the same name that starred Charlton Heston and was directed by William Wyler and went on to win 11 Academy Awards, including awards for both Heston and Wyler.

Jack Huston, the actor perhaps best known for his work playing Richard Harrow on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, will take on the iconic role. He joins Morgan Freeman, who’s set to play Ildarin.

The Ben-Hur remake is being made by Timur Bekmambetov, the Russian-Kazakh director whose previous works include Night Watch, Day Watch, Wanted, and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

The movie will be a close adaptation of Lew Wallace‘s 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ, but while the parallel Jesus Christ storyline will be covered (biblical epics are in after all) the primary focus will be on Judah Ben-Hur and Messala, childhood friends who become bitter enemies. The role of Messala is yet to be cast.

Ben-Hur is currently scheduled for a February 26, 2016 release.

[Source: Deadline]