Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
#1
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Thread Starter
Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
6 episode season, according to comingsoon.net;
The article also mentions that Whitfield is responding well to his treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Andy Whitfield, who played the title character in the series, will appear in the prequel briefly, but Lucy Lawless and John Hannah take center stage in this story of the rise of the House of Batiatus and its champions before Spartacus arrives as a captured Thracian slave. With the title still to be determined, the prequel will begin production this summer in New Zealand, and is slated to air on Starz in January 2011.
John Hannah returns as Batiatus, owner of the Ludus, along with his wife Lucretia, played by Lucy Lawless. Other returning actors include Peter Mensah (Doctore), Manu Bennett (Crixus), Antonio Te Maioha (Barca), Nick E. Tarabay (Ashur), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Naevia) – and others. New characters will also be added – most notably the gladiator who was champion of the House of Batiatus before Spartacus or even Crixus – who will help fill in the story about the people and politics in the House of Batiatus and ancient Capua as a whole.
John Hannah returns as Batiatus, owner of the Ludus, along with his wife Lucretia, played by Lucy Lawless. Other returning actors include Peter Mensah (Doctore), Manu Bennett (Crixus), Antonio Te Maioha (Barca), Nick E. Tarabay (Ashur), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Naevia) – and others. New characters will also be added – most notably the gladiator who was champion of the House of Batiatus before Spartacus or even Crixus – who will help fill in the story about the people and politics in the House of Batiatus and ancient Capua as a whole.
#4
Senior Member
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
I generally despise prequels, but they aren't so bad when they aren't about the main character of the first story. Also, John Hannah was pretty awesome so I'm much more open to this idea than I would otherwise be.
#5
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Jupiter's Cock!!!
It's a way to temoparily get around Andy's illness as well as getting more John Hannah so I'm in for sure.
I'll miss Illithia though.
It's a way to temoparily get around Andy's illness as well as getting more John Hannah so I'm in for sure.
I'll miss Illithia though.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: OHIO
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#11
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Thread Starter
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Starz has added new cast members, as well as titled the series as Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, according to The Hollywood Reporter;
Three Australian actors have joined the cast, including Dustin Clare in the lead role.
Clare ("Underbelly," "Satisfaction") will play Gannicus, the champion gladiator in the House of Batiatus before Spartacus came along.
"Spartacus" star Andy Whitfield, who was sidelined for several months after being diagnosed with cancer, will make a brief appearance in the prequel. He has been cleared by doctors to return to work.
Starz also has cast Jaime Murray ("Dexter) as a Capua social climber and Marisa Ramirez ("General Hospital") as a slave girl.
"Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" will begin production on six episodes next month and will hit the air in January. Season 2 of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," starring Whitfield, will begin production immediately after "Arena" wraps and air later in 2011 for an undetermined number of episodes.
Clare ("Underbelly," "Satisfaction") will play Gannicus, the champion gladiator in the House of Batiatus before Spartacus came along.
"Spartacus" star Andy Whitfield, who was sidelined for several months after being diagnosed with cancer, will make a brief appearance in the prequel. He has been cleared by doctors to return to work.
Starz also has cast Jaime Murray ("Dexter) as a Capua social climber and Marisa Ramirez ("General Hospital") as a slave girl.
"Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" will begin production on six episodes next month and will hit the air in January. Season 2 of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," starring Whitfield, will begin production immediately after "Arena" wraps and air later in 2011 for an undetermined number of episodes.
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Don't know if this prequel was always in the cards, but if it wasn't, great idea on how to make lemonade out of a negative situation.
EDIT: Will we get more nekkid Lucy?
EDIT: Will we get more nekkid Lucy?
#13
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Earth
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OIMf9mci4b8&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OIMf9mci4b8&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>
#15
Banned
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Smart move by the producers. It seems that it was either this or have a long lay-off (which not only risks losing your audience but also losing key cast members to other projects). The only other route would have been to do 'Spartacus: The Boyhood Years' although that would have pretty much ruled out most of the T&A.
There is a small risk of alienating the audience who are expecting to see a continuation of the story (and who might resent a Spartacus-less Spartacus), but compelling storylines should overcome that.
There is a small risk of alienating the audience who are expecting to see a continuation of the story (and who might resent a Spartacus-less Spartacus), but compelling storylines should overcome that.
#17
DVD Talk Limited Edition
#18
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Louisville
Posts: 7,595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
More bad news for Andy Whitfield:
http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/spar...s-is-in-limbo/
Andy Whitfield, star of Starz's "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," has been advised by his doctors to immediately resume aggressive treatment for a recurrence of cancer, as a result of which he will not be returning for the series' second season, which was tentatively set to air in September 2011.
"It's with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project as Spartacus and all the wonderful people involved. It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey. Thank you sincerely for the support so far," said Whitfield.
"Our hearts and prayers are with Andy and his family during this difficult time," said Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht. "Andy is not only an incredible actor whose portrayal of Spartacus made an indelible impression on Starz audiences, he is also an amazing human being whose courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity have inspired all of us."
No decisions have yet been made about the future of the series. "Right now, we just want to extend our concern and support to Andy and his family," said Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director, Starz Media. "We will address our programming plans at some later date."
"It's with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project as Spartacus and all the wonderful people involved. It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey. Thank you sincerely for the support so far," said Whitfield.
"Our hearts and prayers are with Andy and his family during this difficult time," said Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht. "Andy is not only an incredible actor whose portrayal of Spartacus made an indelible impression on Starz audiences, he is also an amazing human being whose courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity have inspired all of us."
No decisions have yet been made about the future of the series. "Right now, we just want to extend our concern and support to Andy and his family," said Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director, Starz Media. "We will address our programming plans at some later date."
#19
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Wow, that really sucks. I wonder what Starz will do: recast the the role or cancel the best thing they have.
#20
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
I'm reviewing S1 right now and even at five episodes in, I don't see how they could recast the role. Whitfield struck a great balance between imposing action hero and emotional depth when needed. I think they should just extend the prequel and see if Whitfield is able to resume filming by the end of the year and if not, end the series.
An animated final season could also be another option if Whitfield was able to do voice work and any hope of him filming is scrapped.
An animated final season could also be another option if Whitfield was able to do voice work and any hope of him filming is scrapped.
#21
DVD Talk Limited Edition
#22
Suspended; also need updated email
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
I also generally hate prequels, but this one is perfect. Firstly because of the illness of the lead character so it helps not lose the viewers and secondly, John Hannah was awesome and it's a great way to bring back a dead character
#23
Suspended; also need updated email
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
I do think that the part of Spartacus is recastable. Will be tough but doeable
Only hard bit is when they do the 'previously on Spartacus" bit at the start
Only hard bit is when they do the 'previously on Spartacus" bit at the start
#24
Suspended; also need updated email
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
This is said a bit tongue in cheek, but damm there are plenty of other actors who should have got the cancer instead . God misfired on this one .
#25
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Under a dead Ohio sky
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011