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Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
6 episode season, according to comingsoon.net;
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. |
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Good news all around. :up:
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Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Even though prequels generally suck on principal, I'll still watch this and reserve judgement till then =)
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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.
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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. |
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Originally Posted by mwbmis
(Post 10152487)
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. |
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
All I want to see is Doctore as a Gladiator kicking ass.
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Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Originally Posted by Thrush
(Post 10153810)
All I want to see is Doctore as a Gladiator kicking ass.
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Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Great news. Hopefully we'l get more nude chicks and less nude dicks.
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Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Looking forward to it!
This and Sons Of Anarchy are the only two shows on television that I give a crap about. |
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. |
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? :D |
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
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Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
cant get here soon enough
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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' -wink- 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. |
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
sweet. i like shows about gladiators.
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Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Originally Posted by crankyman
(Post 10314562)
sweet. i like shows about gladiators.
"Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? ..." "Have you ever seen a grown man naked?" "Have you ever been in a Turkish prison?" |
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
More bad news for Andy Whitfield:
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." |
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.
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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. |
Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Originally Posted by Boba Fett
(Post 10377819)
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.
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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
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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 |
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 .
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Re: Spartacus prequel coming to Starz in January 2011
Originally Posted by Original Desmond
(Post 10377839)
John Hannah was awesome and it's a great way to bring back a dead character
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