Interview with "Ben-Hur" director Timur Bekmambetov

CINEMA: 'Ben-Hur' Director on How His Remake Differs From Charlton Heston's Film and How He Found His Judah. Russian filmmaker and visual effects guru Timur Bekmambetov opens up about why he lives in Walt Disney's old home, how the studio system is "like the Titanic" and virtual reality movies. (Rebecca Ford, Hollywood Reporter). Excerpt:

Was it intimidating to take on an iconic story in remaking Ben-Hur?

It was scary. It's a great, great book. It's very unique because it's a fictional version of the biblical story. It's very rare when you have material with a message. And at the same time, it's very entertaining because of the unbelievable naval battles and chariot races. But I like to take a risk and do something nobody wants to try. The 1959 movie is not the same as the book, which has a very different message. The book was written about forgiveness, and the movie they made in 1959 — a great movie — it's about revenge and miracles. Our movie is different.

He doesn't elaborate on how it is different, so I guess we'll just have to find out when it comes out.

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