Holy Spirit plays a major role in making of Ben-Hur

The Holy Spirit had a role in casting the role of Jesus in next year’s highly anticipated Hollywood remake of Ben-Hur, according to one of its producers.

The remake - with British actor Jack Huston playing the lead role (pictured left) - is by husband and wife team Roma Downey and Mark Burnett who have already had a number of successes with their faith-based production company, LightWorks Media.

They produced two highly successful US TV series The Bible and AD: The Bible Continues, as well as the feature film Son of God, which took $67.8m at the box office last year.

Now the pair have taken on the epic task of recreating Ben-Hur, the 1959 classic based on the novel Ben-Hur: A Life of the Christ by Carol Wallace Hamlin, which was blessed by Pope Leo XIII and endorsed worldwide by the Church.

The original film cost $15m to make in 1959 - which is about $122m in today’s money - and won 11 Oscars in the same year: a feat only matched by Titanic and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

"People are going to come because it's an action movie, and it will deliver on all of that. It's exciting, exhilarating, beautifully performed and shot," Ms Downey told an audience at the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, a new forum for discussion and the arts run by the Archdiocese of New York.

"But at the heartbeat of it is a deeply profound message. The potential for this film to open hearts is important. I certainly know that, in my life, when hearts are opened, grace moves in and all things are possible."

The 1959 version of Ben-Hur, starring Charlton Heston, won 11 Oscars

Set in the Holy Land during the time of Jesus, Ben-Hur tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur (played by Huston), a Jewish prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother, Messala (Toby Kebbell), a gentile officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is condemned to the tortured life of a galley slave.

After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge. Instead he finds redemption as his life intersects, in surprising ways, with that of Jesus, who is played by Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro.

Ms Downey, a Catholic from New York, noted that casting the role of Jesus was a particular challenge. "This is my third crucifixion sequence as a producer," she said. Santoro was chosen after many actors were turned away.

"He has a depth and intensity, a soulfulness and spirit," Downey said, but acknowledged, "I always think the Holy Spirit is casting these things. I just have to pay attention."

Santoro was blessed by Pope Francis in a visit to The Vatican during filming, which took place over six months in Italy earlier this year.

Rodrigo Santoro was blessed by Pope Francis in a break from filming

The enduring affection for the 1959 film version - itself an update of a 1925 silent classic - has not been overlooked by the producers. Directed by William Wyler, and with Charlton Heston taking the title role, it is best remembered for its thrilling chariot race.

"It was so exciting - and terrifying - for all of us in some ways, to tackle something that's engraved in the minds and memories and hearts of people," Ms Downey admitted.

"It's a great story and it needs to be told again," she said. "And if you thought that chariot race was amazing, wait 'til you see this chariot race! It's gonna knock your socks off."

Ms Downey is gratified that faith-based films have gained a new foothold in Hollywood. "It has opened the doors for other projects to come through.

"You see the hunger in the audience. It has brought so much conversation around the water cooler, people talking about subjects of faith and values - all the things we would hope for our families."

Ben-Hur is due for general release on 26 February next year.