'Game of Thrones's' Pedro Pascal linked to the role of Pontius Pilate in new Ben-Hur remake

Actors Sarah Paulson and Pedro Pascal attend the premiere of "The Normal Heart" in New York May 12, 2014.REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

"Game of Thrones" actor Pedro Pascal is said to be tapped for a role in an upcoming "Ben-Hur" remake, IGN reports.

Pascal, best known for playing the character of Oberyn Martell in "Game of Thrones", is reportedly being considered for the Pontius Pilate role.

If all goes well negotiations-wise, he will join the star-studded cast including Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell and Morgan Freeman. Meanwhile, "Fast & Furious" actress Gal Gadot is still in negotiations for the lead role.

The production of the film is set to start on February 26, 2015. This will be an adaptation of the novel, "Ben-Hur: A Tale of Christ". It is already being tipped as one of the "must-see biblical epic of 2016," according to A.V. Club.

The script, written by Keith Clarke and John Ridley of "12 Years a Slave", focuses on the feud between Messala (Kebbell) and Judah Ben-Hur who were best friends growing up.

Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince, became friends with Messala, son of a Roman tax collector. However, the relationship breaks down and Ben-Hur is betrayed by Messala, ending up in slavery.

He is hungry for revenge but is radically changed when he encounters Jesus.  

The 1959 version was produced by MGM and they will once again be behind the film, together with Paramount.

It remains a classic and one of Charlton Heston's best remembered roles.  

It was also a massive production, using more than 200 camels and 2,500 horses, as well as around 10,000 extras, so expectations are high for the re-make.

The film is set to release on Feb. 26, 2016, and helping with the production are Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, who were behind the phenomenally successful Bible TV miniseries.  

MGM and Paramount have said the film will return "to the heart of Lew Wallace's epic novel focusing on the nature of faith".

Burnett and Downey said it would be "the most anticipated movie release of 2016".