
David Wyler, son of William Wyler who directed the 1959, Oscar-winning feature Ben-Hur, will produce a new TV version with CG chariot races as a mini-series with Alchemy TV.
Director Christian "Human Trafficking" Duguay will start the $30 million project in late 2008.
Alchemy has already sold the mini to Spain, Germany and Canada.
The new version will be based more on author Lew Wallace's 1907 novel than either the 1959 film version or earlier 1925 adaptation.
"It’s been 50 years since my father’s version," said Wyler.
"I think we can bring something new and contemporary to it in the same way that Gladiator did for that genre...."