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The Schmooze

PHOTO: Christian Bale as Moses in ‘Exodus’

Photo: Entertainment Weekly

This is not Charleton Heston’s Moses.

The first stills of Ridley Scott’s “Exodus” have surfaced, and it’s clear we’re in for something new. Christian Bale, our new Moses, is clad in armor and on horseback wielding some kind of weapon.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Bale hesitated before taking on the iconic role.

“Charlton Heston does Charlton Heston better than anyone,” Bale said. “But the biblical account of Moses is extraordinary, and there was lots of room for us to go to places that [Heston’s movie] The Ten Commandments never dreamed of going.”

But don’t worry — Bale will not be be rocking Heston’s signature orange tan. His biggest request before signing on? “No fake beards.” Audiences everywhere salute you, sir.

Along for the ride down the Nile (get it?) are Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, John Turturro, and Aaron Paul.

Exodus hits theaters December 12, right in time for the Christmas Eve rush.

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