David Wyler, the son of Ben-Hur director William Wyler, is producing a miniseries version of the saga, it was announced just days after Charlton Heston passed away. The $30 million project, which starts lensing this year, has already been sold to outlets in Spain, Germany and Canada, and is currently being shopped in the U.S. to two networks and a cable channel. "This is dedicated to my dad and Chuck," Wyler tells Variety. "It's a great way to keep his memory alive."Versus previous takes (including the 1959 film), the mini will adhere more closely to the 1880 Lew Wallace novel... yet skew the lead role younger (placing Ben-Hur in his mid-twenties) and downplay the story's religious aspects. — MWM
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Question: My father and I were chatting about Clint Eastwood's talent for directing actors to Academy Awards, now I'm wondering which director has directed the most actors to Oscar victories. My father is thinking William Wyler. Is he right?
Answer: Yes, he is: It's William Wyler. He directed 31 actors and actresses in performances that earned them Academy Award nominations. Bette Davis (Jezebel), Fay Bainter (Jezebel), Greer Garson (Mrs. Min
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Question: I haven't heard anything about Charlton Heston lately. I know he's sick and I'd like to know how he's doing. Has Hollywood forgotten this great actor?
Answer: Charlton Heston, the two-fisted star of films that include The Ten Commandments (1956) and Ben-Hur (1959), has Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms, and in 2003 he stepped down from his position as president of the National Rifle Association because of his progressive incapacitation. Heston, who turned 81 on Oct. 4, 2005, is reportedly in declining health; I recently read a quote from former child actor Jon Gries, who appeared with Heston in Will Penny (1968), in which Gries implied t
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