Bearded Rodrigo Santoro protects the sick as he gets into character as Jesus Christ on the set of sw

Publish date: 2024-06-19

Filming continued in earnest this week as Rodrigo Santoro played a pivotal role in a dramatic new scene on the set of Ben Hur.

The Brazilian actor plays Jesus in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer financed remake of the sweeping 1959 biblical epic, and he was dressed in character for a scene in which he appears protect a man stricken with leprosy.

Dressed in filthy rags, he was seen holding the man from behind in front of watching townsfolk as cameras rolled.

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Tension: Rodrido Santoro plays Jesus in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer financed remake of the sweeping 1959 biblical epic, and he was dressed in character for a scene in which he appears protect a man stricken with leprosy

Tension: Rodrido Santoro plays Jesus in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer financed remake of the sweeping 1959 biblical epic, and he was dressed in character for a scene in which he appears protect a man stricken with leprosy

The new scene is the latest to filmed on the set of the big budget remake, which sees Jack Huston take the role originally played by the late Charlton Heston.

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Huston is continuing his quest to become a big-time actor and follow in the footsteps of his famous family, including his Oscar-winning aunt Anjelica Huston. 

The 32-year-old English actor has been seen filming scenes on the set of the movie, as he takes on the character of protagonist Judah Ben-Hur, the role first immortalised by Charlton Heston in the original 1959 epic.

Lifelike: The new scene was shot on a lifelike exterior set built to resemble a first century setting

Lifelike: The new scene was shot on a lifelike exterior set built to resemble a first century setting

Take a break: Filming continued in earnest this week as Rodrigo played a pivotal role in a dramatic new scene on the set of Ben Hur

Take a break: Filming continued in earnest this week as Rodrigo played a pivotal role in a dramatic new scene on the set of Ben Hur

On Tuesday, while on location Italy against a striking Biblical-looking backdrop, leading man Jack got up close and personal in a romantic kiss with his leading lady, Nazanin Boniadi.

The 34-year-old Iranian-British actress - who is best known for her role as CIA operative Fara Sheraz in hit drama series Homeland - plays a Roman slave woman called Esther in the remake of Ben-Hur, which is slated for released in 2016.

The role of Esther was originally played by Israeli actress Haya Harareet over 50 years ago, but Nazanin certainly looks set to be a suitable casting in the character.

A romantic tale: While filming scenes for the remake of Ben-Hur, leading stars Jack Huston and Nazanin Boniadi shared a kiss on location in Italy on Tuesda

A romantic tale: While filming scenes for the remake of Ben-Hur, leading stars Jack Huston and Nazanin Boniadi shared a kiss on location in Italy on Tuesda

Horsing around: Nazanin and Jack looked comfortable and in good spirits as they hopped on a white steed in the midst of filming

Horsing around: Nazanin and Jack looked comfortable and in good spirits as they hopped on a white steed in the midst of filming

New role: Nazanin is best known for her role as a CIA operative in hit drama series Homeland, but appearing in the Ben-Hur remake will see her portray a Roman slave girl called Esther

New role: Nazanin is best known for her role as a CIA operative in hit drama series Homeland, but appearing in the Ben-Hur remake will see her portray a Roman slave girl called Esther

Stunning backdrop: The actress filmed a scene with her co-star, the two of them looking suitably attired for the big-budget movie 

Stunning backdrop: The actress filmed a scene with her co-star, the two of them looking suitably attired for the big-budget movie 

Jack and Nazanin looked relaxed in each other's company as they continued to shoot for the upcoming movie, while filming one scene on horseback together.

And in-between takes, they looked in good spirits as they had their intricate costumes, hair and make-up touched up by members of the crew. 

Brit actor Jack, who is known for starring in period TV drama Boardwalk Empire, was also greeted on the set by his partner, model Shannan Click, and their young daughter Sage who looked sleepy as she rested in her mother's arms. 

Family first: Jack was joined on the set by his girlfriend Shannan Click and their daughter Sage

Family first: Jack was joined on the set by his girlfriend Shannan Click and their daughter Sage

Action! The nephew of iconic actress Anjelica Huston looked the part as he filmed scenes in Italy on Tuesday

Action! The nephew of iconic actress Anjelica Huston looked the part as he filmed scenes in Italy on Tuesday

Roman around: The British actor shared a joke with his co-stars, clad as soldiers

Roman around: The British actor shared a joke with his co-stars, clad as soldiers

Busy set: As Jack and Nazanin filmed a romantic-looking scene on the white horse, they were surrounded yb dozens of members of the extensive crew

Busy set: As Jack and Nazanin filmed a romantic-looking scene on the white horse, they were surrounded yb dozens of members of the extensive crew

Touch-ups: Jack was helped by a member of the crew with his costume

Touch-ups: Jack was helped by a member of the crew with his costume

As well as having to follow in the footsteps of his Addams Family star aunt Anjelica, Jack also has his writer and director father Tony who no doubt inspired him. 

Earlier in the week, the handsome Brit - who sported a shaggy hairstyle and light beard - was spotted on the eye-catching set while filming scenes with his other co-star, Ayelet Zurerm, who plays his character's mother Naomi.

Deadline previously reported that Jack originally read for the part of Judah's bitter rival Messala, but director Timur Bekmambetov decided that he wanted him for the lead. 

Star role: Anjelica Huston's nephew Jack - seen filming earlier in the week - is set to hit the big time with his starring role in the Ben-Hur remake

Star role: Anjelica Huston's nephew Jack - seen filming earlier in the week - is set to hit the big time with his starring role in the Ben-Hur remake

And so he was cast as the falsely accused nobleman who endures slavery before becoming a revenge-minded charioteer 

The casting will no doubt catapult his career into the major league, especially as the original leading man Heston won an Oscar for his portrayal of Ben-Hur in the original.

The illustrious cast features Morgan Freeman as Ilderim, Toby Kebbell as Messala, Rodrigo Santoro as Jesus Christ and Pilou Asbæk as Pontius Pilate.

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the film is based on Lew Wallace’s novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of The Christ. 

Hard at work: Jack was spotted in Italy earlier in the week, where he filmed scenes for the remake

Hard at work: Jack was spotted in Italy earlier in the week, where he filmed scenes for the remake

Acting dynasty: Coming from an acting dynasty such as the Hustons, it was inevitable that Jack Huston would one day follow in his famous family's footsteps and become an actor

Acting dynasty: Coming from an acting dynasty such as the Hustons, it was inevitable that Jack Huston would one day follow in his famous family's footsteps and become an actor

It is set for release in February 2016. 

Jack's career has been on the ascent ever since he signed up to play disfigured war hero Richard Harrow in Boardwalk Empire.

Most recently he starred alongside Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle, and also played beat novelist Jack Kerouac in Kill Your Darlings.

His private life too has been going from strength-to-strength.

Dramatic: The film stars Jack as Judah Ben-Hur, the falsely accused nobleman who endures slavery before becoming a revenge-minded charioteer

Dramatic: The film stars Jack as Judah Ben-Hur, the falsely accused nobleman who endures slavery before becoming a revenge-minded charioteer

Following his 2010 split from presenter Cat Deeley, Jack met Victoria's Secret model Shannan Click.

Shannan is the former face of GUESS and a runway and print model and has walked in four prior Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows.

The pair became first-time parents in April 2013 when they welcomed daughter Sage Lavinia.

Christmases and birthdays will undoubtedly be exciting for the tot, given that her daddy also hails from the British aristocracy, his mum being Lady Margot Lavinia Cholmondeley. 

The original: Charlton Heston won an Oscar for his role in the original 1959 movie

The original: Charlton Heston won an Oscar for his role in the original 1959 movie

Following in her footsteps: Jack follows his aunt Anjelica into acting and most of his family are in the business 

Following in her footsteps: Jack follows his aunt Anjelica into acting and most of his family are in the business 

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