Movies

Ben-Hur news round-up: Interviews with the Irish press!

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A few more Ben-Hur-themed news items as the film continues to roll out overseas.

The film ranked tenth at the North American box office last weekend.

The Irish Examiner posted a set-visit report and spoke to star Jack Huston:

“It’s a story written over 100 years ago and it’s caught the eye of many people because there have been so many incarnations,” says Huston, dusting off the debris from his charioteer outfit as he joins us on set. . . .

Some might say that taking on such a well-known role, last played by such an iconic actor, is both crazy and dangerous. Certainly, Huston is aware of the risk. The actor has worked hard to establish his own name, appearing in hit TV show Boadwalk Empire as well as the films Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, The Longest Ride, and American Hustle, among others.

“It is a little intimidating,” he says. “But the studio saw an opportunity that now where we might be able to do something new while in no way stepping on the toes of any of the predecessors.

“The last film was this giant, that won all these Oscars, so you don’t want to make a crappy movie. You want to make something special and the character and the role itself has been a gift. That said, even if you try not to think about it, the worry is always in the back of your head. You want to go out and make something beautiful. And if we are lucky, and if my senses are right, I feel we are doing that.”

And the Irish Voice spoke to executive producer Roma Downey, who is Irish:

“It was hard to fill the sandals of Charlton Heston but we got Jack Huston, who comes from the famed dynasty family, his grandfather John (the actor and director) and his aunt Anjelica. They have a lot of Irish connections this family, and it’s really turned out beautiful.”

The film opens in Ireland, the UK, France and Belgium on September 7.

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