Jack Huston New Ben-Hur: 'Boardwalk Empire' Star Cast in Remake

There's a new Ben-Hur: British actor Jack Huston, known for his roles in HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire" and "American Hustle," will take the title role in a remake of the 1959 classic movie, Deadline reports.

Morgan Freeman will play Ildarin, the man who teaches Ben-Hur to become a chariot racer, according to USA Today.

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The MGM and Paramount studios movie is set to be filmed in Europe in 2015 and directed by Timur Bekmambetov.

Huston is a nephew of Anjelica Huston.

The role is the first major leading movie role for Huston, who currently is filming "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies."

The new "Ben-Hur" movie is set for release in February 2016. Set in Roman-occupied Jerusalem in the 1st century, the movie tells the story of Ben-Hur, who is separated from his family and enslaved, but fights his way back to freedom.

Charlton Heston played the title role of Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur in the original movie, which won 11 Oscars and is known for the chariot race scene.

Twitter users had mixed reactions to news of the role.

Uh...idk how to feel about this. | Boardwalk Empire’s Jack Huston is the new Ben-Hur http://t.co/sEsyqdGy2Q

— E.M. Drown (@EMDrown) September 17, 2014

Whoa. YAY!! RT @HitFix: #BoardwalkEmpire's Jack Huston has landed a HUGE movie role http://t.co/1Vr0UnL0Wl pic.twitter.com/xQzJoo1s9U

— Diana (@DianaD76) September 17, 2014

Good God, is nothing sacred? BBC News - Jack Huston set to star in Ben-Hur remake http://t.co/7uzv6u2dF3

— Rob Lindop (@RobLindop72) September 17, 2014

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