Spartacus: Blood and Sand?

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand?

Just started watching this via Netflix Stream. Most nudity I've seen on cable in a while... And the battle sequences are nice also

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand?

Any idea when season 1 will be on blu ray?

Next week 9/21..........Received my review copy last week, this looks great on Blu.

Some bad news for S2:

Spartacus Star Leaving Series for Health Reasons
Andy Whitfield is dropping out of Season 2, due to the recurrence of cancer.

http://tv.ign.com/articles/112/1121755p1.html

A very unfortunate story to report here, as news comes in that Spartacus: Blood and Sand star Andy Whitfield is dropping out of Season 2 of the series, due to the recurrence of cancer. Deadline is reporting the news, as Whitfield and Starz have put out a joint statement about the situation.

Whitfield was diagnosed with treatable Stage 1 non-Hodgkin lymphoma earlier this year. After his initial treatment, he was in remission and cleared to return to work on Spartacus. In the interim, Starz had delayed production on Season 2 and ordered a prequel series, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (starring John Hannah and Lucy Lawless), which is currently filming for a January debut.

In the statement released by Whitfield and Starz, they note his doctors have advised he "immediately resume aggressive treatment for a recurrence of cancer."

Said Whitfield, "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."

"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."

Starz stresses they have not yet made a decision about how to proceed next, as no doubt the speculation will begin over whether they will recast, delay the series indefinitely or end it all together. "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."

[luv_mist]

Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand?

They just need to delay it until he comes back because it's solid.

[ODogg]

Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand?

As a recent cancer patient I've read up on everything that chemotherapy can do to one's body. It's not so much the cancer aspect that will probably force them to recast the role, it's the chemotherapy treatment will basically break him down physically to the point he would not be believable as the character. Now granted, in time his body will recover but everything I've read (and I've read a LOT lately) he could be 1 to 2 years getting back into physical form well enough to portray this character.

I say this character because if he wasn't required to be in such high physical shape he could probably return to the role ala Patrick Swayze in his series that he worked on while he was actually undergoing chemotherapy. But unfortunately this is a role which demands him to be physically devastating in appearance, often without his shirt (does he ever even wear a shirt in this role, LOL) so having him on camera is not doable if he's not able to make the character believable.

So with that being said, I'd love to see Andy come back as well but I'm thinking the role will end up being re-cast. Perhaps later on, if he gets well, he could come back in as another character, maybe his brother or something, although that may be confusing so who knows..

[ODogg]

Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand?

Ugh..I hope this isn't true. They are talking about the former lead actor from Prison Break taking up the role. He doesn't seem at all right for the part IMO and they'd do much better to go with a no-name actor.

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/14/wentworth-miller-eyeing-spartacus/

[rubisco43]

Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand?

Just finished watching this series! Very Gladiator/300-esque, but the storyline was engrossing, and the action scenes were top notch. Nudity was an added bonus (Viva Viva!) Can't wait for the prequel.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand?

We just finished watching Season 1 again and this has to be one of the best first seasons of a TV show that I have ever seen. With the prequel mini-series about ready to wrap up, which also has been stellar, I can't wait for season 2.

Replacing Andy I think will be impossible because there is no way I can see anyone else playing this role.

[gez20]

Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand?

Started watching this recently after getting hooked on Gods of the Arena. This is even better than that. I'm still surprised I enjoy this show, I was sure the over-the-top violence and and dialogue would turn me off for sure but the storytelling is really really good.

Shame about Andy Whitfield, I hope he has a speedy recovery. I'm not sure as how the show will fare with a new Spartacus.