Trailer: 'Ben Hur' Remake Like an 'Evangelical Gladiator'

Paramount Pictures has released its first trailer for a remake of the Oscar-winning 1959 classic "Ben-Hur."

The publication, Wired, described the trailer as an "evangelical gladiator." Watch the trailer below.

The movie stars actor Jack Huston as the title character, the role previously played by Charlton Heston.

The 2016 version is actually the third remake. The original film was made in 1907; it was remade in 1925, and most people are familiar with the 1959 film that won an incredible 11 Oscars.

All the films are based on Union Civil War Gen. Lew Wallace's 1880 novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Click play to learn more about the life of General Lew Wallace and his amazing tale Ben Hur.

Wallace's novel sold more copies than any other American novel in the 19th century. The epic takes place during the time of Jesus Christ.

In the latest film version, Judah Ben-Hur is a Jewish prince in Jerusalem who is betrayed by his brother and thrown into slavery. In contrast to the 1959 movie, the 2016 film reportedly devotes more time to the life of Christ.

The film is directed by Timur Bekmambetov ("Wanted"). MGM and Paramount co-labored with husband and wife producing team Mark Burnett (Survivor) and Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel).

The couple produced the popular miniseries, "The Bible," for the History Channel.

The lastest remake of "Ben-Hur" is scheduled to be released in August.

Watch the trailer for Paramount Pictures' "Ben Hur."