Timur Bekmambetov's movie is currently being filmed in Rome.

Santoro and fellow cast member Nazanin Boniadi attended a weekly papal audience last week during a break from production, where they met Pope Francis.

In March, Italian archaeological officials banned producers from filming chariot racing scenes inside Rome's Circus Maximus.

The production was forced to re-create the ancient site in a local studio instead.

The film is expected to be in cinemas in February next year.

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