While production on the second season of “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” has been delayed while actor Andy Whitfield undergoes treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Starz has given the green light to a six-episode prequel series that will begin production this summer.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the prequel series, which is planned for January 2011, will star John Hannah and Lucy Lawless, whose characters were skewered at the end of season one of the hit series.
The prequel will focus on the rise of the House of Batiatus and its gladiators before there ever was a Spartacus around to cause all that trouble. Hannah and Lawless will reprise their roles as Batiatus, the owner of the gladiator school, and his wife, Lucretia.
“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,” said Starz president and CEO Chris Albrecht. “Fortunately, Andy is responding to his treatments, and will be able to be part of this prequel in a limited capacity. As soon as he’s able, we look forward to continuing the Spartacus story.”
Actors returning for the prequel include Peter Mensah as Doctore, Manu Bennett as Crixus, Antonio Te Maioha as Barca, Nick E. Tarabay as Ashur and Lesley-Ann Brandt as Naevia. Additional characters will also be added, including a new champion gladiator for the House of Batiatus. The production team will remain intact with Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi, Joshua Donen and Steven S. DeKnight.
I think that could be interesting. Spartacus was a much better series that it looked. The writing and acting in that serie was really good even if the CGI sucked and all the specialeffects was really terrible.
Skip the 300 style and it will be good