Toby Kebbell eyes 'Ben-Hur' villain role

Los Angeles: 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' actor Toby Kebbell is in early talks for MGM and Paramount's 'Ben-Hur' remake.

The 32-year-old actor is eyeing the role of villain Messala in the film, reported Variety.

After rumours that Tom Hiddleston would star in Timur Bekmambetov's movie, Boardwalk Empire's Jack Huston was announced for the title role this week.

Morgan Freeman will play Judah Ben-Hur's chariot racing teacher in the remake. Charlton Heston famously starred in the 1959 adaptation of Lew Wallace's 1880 novel 'Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ'.

Kebbell will star in another villain role as Doctor Doom in Josh Trank's 'Fantastic Four' reboot. 'Ben-Hur' is scheduled for release on February 26, 2016.