Although it was thought that the female lead in MGM and Paramount’s upcoming Timur Bekmambetov-helmed remake of Ben-Hur had gone to Gal Gadot, The Hollywood Reporter today brings world that Gadot’s commitments to Warner Bros.’ massive DC Cinematic Universe slate will prevent her from taking the role.
Set for a release on February 26, 2016, the new take on Ben-Hur was originally scripted by Keith Clarke (The Way Back), with revisions by Academy Award-winner John Ridley (12 Years a Slave). Gadot was to have played Esther, a slave and romantic interest to Jack Huston’s leading man. Check back to find out who will be playing the part as soon as a decision is made.
Although it’s only a rumor at this stage, Bleeding Cool is meanwhile reporting that Warner Bros. appears to be planning a full trilogy of Wonder Woman solo films and, according to their unnamed source, the first one will take place back in the 1920s and will reveal Themyscira’s first encounter with the outside world and Wonder Woman’s own experiences with a USA that still had a lot to learn about equal rights. Then, they claim, a sequel is planned to take place in the 1940s and will be set against the backdrop of World War II. A third would finally bring Wonder Woman’s solo adventures to the contemporary setting of the planned Justice League films.
Of course, all of this should be taken with a grain of salt at this stage. What is known for sure is that Gadot’s Wonder Woman will make her debut in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, hitting theaters March 25, 2016 and will get her own solo film on June 23, 2017.
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