Toby Kebbell In Talks For BEN-HUR Villain Messala

Variety reports that Toby Kebbell is in talks to play villain Messala in Timur Bekmambetov's remake of Ben-Hur. Jack Huston is in the title role with Morgan Freeman in a supporting role as well. Production is about to begin in Europe next year. And it's casting at the moment is beyond impressive. Interesting enough the script was penned by Oscar winner John Ridley (12 Years A Slave, Three Kings, Red Tails) and Keith Clarke (The Way Back).  The epic's release date is set for February 26th, 2016.

Toby played ape villain Koba played in the massive summer hit Dawn of The Planet of The Apes. Koba was actually one of my favorite blockbuster villains of the year, and it's mainly due to his motion capture performance. Director Matt Reeves has actually teased his return in the third film, which could mean Kebbell might be apart of that franchise for a while. This must have led to his casting as Dr. Doom in Josh Trank's Fantastic Four reboot, and we're highly anticipating seeing some footage of Toby as the iconic Marvel baddie. He also recently wrapped production on Duncan Jones's Warcraft for Legendary.

SOURCE: VARIETY

Jack Huston Will Play BEN-HUR In Timur Bekmambetov's Remake

Deadline reports that Boardwalk Empire and American Hustle actor Jack Huston has taken the titular role in the Ben-Hur remake. Previously, it was reported that Morgan Freeman had joined the project in a supporting part. It will be directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted, Night Watch, Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter), let's just hope the Russian director can reign-in his exploitation roots and make a coherent film. The film is expected to begin production next year in Europe.


We know that Jack Huston has been itching for a franchise role. Becoming in the mix for the Star-Lord role in Guardians of The Galaxy, and rumored to be in the running for Doctor Strange. It's now very unlikely that Huston is still in the running (or ever was) to play Steven Strange. Only time will tell if this picture will end-up more like Gladiator, a watered-down version of Spartacus or at the end of the spectrum similar to Paul W. Anderson's Pompeii.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

RUMOR ALERT! Jack Huston In The Mix For Marvel's DOCTOR STRANGE?

Boardwalk Empire's breakout actor Jack Huston (American Hustle) is now rumored to be in consideration for the lead role in Doctor Strange, according to ThisIsInfamous. We keep hearing news like this on a regular basis, new names are claimed to be front-runners, until new ones are added. I have a feeling he's on a list, like many of the others previously mentioned in trade reports. Actors such as Johnny Depp, Jon Hamm (apparently denies involvement), Jared Leto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy and Joaquin Phoenix have all been linked to the next Marvel franchise.

The studio has a tendency to hedge-their-bets, by looking at multiple actors for their new lead roles (similar thing happened with auditions for Steve Rogers and Peter Quill). Jack was actually a candidate for the Star-Lord role in Guardians, before Chris Pratt was ultimately hired. I don't doubt that Marvel would want to keep that short-list in consideration for other roles down-the-line.

He has a young-Johnny Depp (originally wanted for the role, years back) look to him, and is a bit younger than most of the other names previously linked. might be willing to take-on a lengthly Marvel contract. Jack could also be another diamond-in-the-rough story for Marvel. Considering the actor isn't entirely well known for his film work and could become a breakout star. Similar to Thor's Chris Hemsworth or Guardians of The Galaxy's Chris Pratt. We were a bit shocked when Paul Rudd was named as playing Scott Lang in Ant-Man, so anything could happen with Strange's casting. Let's just remember that Marvel meets with a bunch of actors, and this could be just another name among many.

Scott Derrickson (Sinister) is directing with a script from Jon Spaihts (Prometheus), production is expected to begin in the spring with a release date of July 8th, 2016.

SOURCE: THISISINFAMOUS

David O'Russell's AMERICAN HUSTLE Coming In December And Set Photos Reveal Stunning Costume Design

Finally David O'Russell's (The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook) next film has been given an official title which is now American Hustle (formerly American Bullshit) according to ScreenRant. The film is likely going to get an Oscar push around it's festival run and it's eventual release on December 13th of this year. It's based on the true events of the ABSCAM scandal.  An FBI sting operation in the late 70s and ’80s  set up by a con artist (Christian Bale) and his partner (Amy Adams). Resulting in several well known members of Congress being exposed for corruption. The cast is beyond stellar with Bale, Adams, Jeremy Renner, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Pena,  Jack Huston, Louis C.K. and Dawn Olivieri.

Jack Huston Confirms Testing For GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

MTV caught up with British actor Jack Huston who is best known for playing disfigured hitman Richard Harrow in HBO's Boardwalk Empire. He had been linked along with a few others testing for the lead role of Peter Quill (Star-Lord) in Marvel's Guardians of The Galaxy. The role would launch Huston's film career if cast in the part as it's rumored the film would lead to a supporting role in Avengers 2. Jack confirmed that he indeed tested and seems to really want the job.

“There was a screen test. Like I said, brittle bones. Maybe they'll call me Glass Man. 'Here he comes. Oh, he fell over,'” Jack Huston joked. But jokes aside, he said, “I would love to do it. I tell you, these bones are strong. If you need a guardian to look after this galaxy, look no further.”

Marvel had been recently looking to HBO's Game of Thrones for inspiration. Hiring director/showrunner Alan Taylor to helm Thor: The Dark World. They've also been trying to land actors from the show with Emilia Clarke and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau being linked for roles in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Lee Pace (Hobbit, The Fall) is currently the only other actor to reveal that they had tested for the part.

Actors Testing For Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Deadline reports that Marvel is currently looking to cast actors in James Gunn's Guardians of The Galaxy. Deals have been made to have Joel Edgerton (Zero Dark Thirty, Star Wars, Animal Kingdom, Warrior), Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire), Jim Sturgess (Cloud Atlas), Lee Pace (Hobbit, The Fall, Lincoln) and Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables) test for Peter Quill/Star-Lord. While Peter Quill aka Star-Lord will be the main role there are still key parts left to fill which could include Drax, Nova and Adam Warlock. I wouldn't be shocked that these actors will also be considered for supporting parts in the franchise which will hit theaters on August 1st 2014.

Joel Edgerton has the best chance here with Zero Dark Thirty gathering a massive amount of attention and could land some serious awards consideration. He had been previously linked to speaking with Marvel for a role which very well could have been Peter Quill all along.

While they aren't confirmed for tests, actors such as Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy), Sullivan Stapleton (Strike Back, Animal Kingdom) and James Marsden (X-Men 1-3, Superman Returns) are also interested in the project. Sullivan is already heading up a comic book film with the prequel to 300. Garrett apparently turned down a chance to play Captain America to land Tron Legacy, something the actor regrets? A name that seems to be the odd man out is James Marsden best known for playing Cyclops in the original X-Men trilogy. Like Chris Evans, James has roots already in the Marvel film universe but doesn't seem like a good fit among these choices.