MGM and Paramount are remaking the classic "Ben-Hur," with Timur Bekmambetov directing. Because they can. And because, well, why not, they’re seeking out Tom Hiddleston for the title role. Right now, development is in early stages, and the actor has a few projects to consider, including another MGM pic, "Me Before You." So no word yet if Loki will ride a newfangled chariot when the film hits on February 26, 2016. If this movie has to be made, we’d be happy to see him lead it. [Deadline]
"Dexter" star Michael C. Hall is returning to TV to lead the miniseries "God Fearing Man." As Stanley Kubrick fans know, it’s one of the Lost And Unmade Projects the filmmaker never got to during his lifetime. Once slated as a feature, a couple years back it was refashioned for TV, chronicling the true story of "Canadian minister Herbert Emerson Wilson, who went on to become one of the best safecrackers and most successful American bank robbers in the early 20th century." No word yet on a director, but the show is currently trying to find a network home. [THR]
Maika Monroe ("At Any Price," "The Guest") is joining Chloe Moretz, Nick Robinson, Alex Roe and Liev Schreiber in "The 5th Wave." Based on the YA book by Rick Yancey, the production follows "one of the last surviving humans left on a planet savaged by waves of alien attacks. When her little brother goes missing, she journeys to find him, meeting a mysterious young man named Evan Walker along the way." J. Blakeson ("The Disappearance Of Alice Creed") directs. [The Wrap]
"Game Of Thrones" star Sophie Turner, Jeremy Irvine and Taissa Farmiga have joined "Mary Shelley’s Monster." The story will follow "the young writer as she writes her seminal novel and is drawn into a Faustian bargain with her own ‘monster’ of an alter ego, who offers literary fame at a desperate personal cost." Coky Giedroyc ("The Killing," "Penny Dreadful") will direct with production to begin this fall. And with the Elle Fanning-led Shelley movie "A Storm In The Stars" also brewing, it looks like we’ve got rival projects cooking. [Deadline]
Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot has joined "Criminal" with Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones and Alice Eve. The Ariel Vroman directed movie "centers on a dead CIA operative’s memories, secrets and skills, which were implanted into a dangerous prison inmate (Costner) in hopes that he will stop a diabolical plot." [THR]
If the "God Fearing Man" mini-series does good enough, that bodes well for the potential "Napoleon" mini-series. Then, perhaps, all of Kubrick's unmade projects can be realized as TV endeavors.