Spartacus A new show on Starz

[Jangler]

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/05/spartacus-blood-and-sand-season-2-begins-in-january-as-a-prequel-series.html

Fans of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" will be happy to hear that star Andy Whitfield, who has been battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma, will return to Starz in January. "Spartacus" will return in a prequel series, starring John Hannah and Lucy Lawless, the Chicago Tribune's Watcher blog reports.

Contrary to rumors, the role of Spartacus will not be re-cast.

According to Starz, Whitfield is "responding well" to treatment and will appear as Spartacus in 2 out of 6 planned episodes. The prequel series will focus on the rise of the House of Batiatus, the gladiator academy, and will revolve around the relationship between Lawless' and Hannah's characters, Lucretia and Batiatus.

"The prequel story maintains the excitement and entertainment value of the first season of 'Spartacus,' giving audiences the engaging experience they've come to expect," Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement released Tuesday, May 11.

"Fortunately, Andy is responding to his treatments, and will be able to be part of this prequel in a limited capacity."

When Whitfield is able to get back to work on a more regular basis, the "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" story will continue where it left off. In the meantime, Starz is casting a new character, who preceded Spartacus and Crixus as the top gladiator at the House of Batiatus.

[Jangler]

I have watched 10 episodes so far. Just watched the one where Varro dies.

I'm glad that it will pick up where this season ends. Nobody could play Spartacus but Andy Whitfield. If he wasn't likable I guess they could replace him, but they have to wait for him to be healthy, and it looks like all is going well.

6 more to go.

[CatsMeow]

It's not going to pick up where this season ends, at least not at first. What's coming out in 2011 is a 6-episode prequel--before Spartacus comes into the picture.

[Jangler]

Yeah, I don't care about the prequel. I usally don't watch shows if I don't like he characters, Lucretia and Batiatus are not likable, not sure why they think they have to do 6 shows about them.

So for me it will pick up where it left off at...

[CatsMeow]

They filmed that prequel, because at that time, they had just found out Andy Whitfield had cancer. The plan was to resume filming the regular series when he got better. Unfortunately, now it looks like he won't be getting better. I honestly don't want to see anyone else playing that part.

[Jangler]

Ya, I see that now... I had posted a old link where they were talking about him getting better.

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/09/andy-whitfield-not-returning-to-spartacus.html

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.

Well, this sucks

And this sucks even more.

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/09/spartacus-recasting-andy-whitfield.html

The decision to potentially recast, sources say, was not made easily. Starz executives, along with members of the cast and crew, have been devastated by this turn of events and would prefer to keep Whitfield in the role.

But there's several financial realities to be considered, too. "Spartacus" is the network's first and only breakout original series. DVD sales on the just-released first season are tracking strong. Plus, there's the rest of the cast and crew of other "Spartacus" employees awaiting word on whether their jobs will continue. Delaying production could potentially mean losing key actors or writers to other opportunities.

I guess that will do it for me, one season and I'm out!

[stankowalski]

I just watched a few of these episodes...I was skeptical about it at first because Starz isn't HBO, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's a pretty damn good show. It figures that I'd find a show I actually liked and they'd have to recast the main character. Recasting Spartacus would be like recasting Tony Soprano...but I'll give it a shot once it comes back on.

[GritsRgreat]

Smoking hot bitches in season one, will also give the new season a shot.

[Jangler]

[stankowalski]

Anybody catch the new episode? It's still got it, without Whitfield. Gannicus is a beast.

[sunbunny]

We watched it. I had forgotten how intense it is.

[Jangler]

don't have Starz, but I am looking for a download link.

edit: found one...

[CarolinaKat]

IT's a good show, sad it's only 6 but they did start filming for Blood and sand season 2 which comes out in 2012.

Fighting and winning blindfolded was awesome

[sunbunny]

I almost couldn't watch whathisface getting the poo beat out of him and then pissed on. Damn.