Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena [US] Spoilers

Richard Dower · 15-07-2010 12:25am #1

January 2011, previous title "House Of Batiatus", insert all info and spoilers here -->

The series is called - "Spartacus - Gods Of The Arena," which is even more epic than "Blood and Sand"
Gannicus - A total badass, and the focal point of the miniseries. Think Crixus and Spartacus combined. He will also appear in the second season.
Many characters will return including - Batiatus, Lucretia, Doctore, Crixus, Barca, and Naevia and Ashur.

Richard Dower · 15-07-2010 12:43am

Anyone remember the "hot slave girl" from episode six of Spartacus: Blood & Sand...well she created an online stir and search, now she's been "outed" and gave an interview:

http://www.clattoverata.com/2010/07/10/clatto-exclusive-meet-laura-surrich-the-slave-girl-in-spartacus-blood-and-sand/

Mr E · 15-07-2010 6:56am

^^ Link NSFW.

djkeogh · 15-07-2010 11:16am

This is the 6 episode Prequel series for anyone who's unsure. Series 2 is said to air sometime in the 2nd half of 2011 but it has not yet started production.

JP Liz V1 · 15-07-2010 2:21pm

Richard you must be very happy about this

Basq · 15-07-2010 2:23pm

Must actually give the 1st series a watch..

.. the whole '300' angle put me half as I loath '300'

paddyismaddy · 15-07-2010 3:06pm

bring on the ladies

Richard Dower · 15-07-2010 9:03pm

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a244341/spartacus-season-two-is-huge-risk.html#article_continue

JP Liz V1 · 19-07-2010 1:48pm

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a246464/cast-announced-for-spartacus-prequel.html

Australian actor Dustin Clare has been cast in the lead role in upcoming Starz miniseries Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.
Deadline reports that Clare will play gladiator Gannicus in the six-part prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
The new series will reportedly focus on the House of Batiatus prior to the arrival of Spartacus (Andy Whitfield). Original series stars John Hannah (Batiatus) and Lucy Lawless (Lucretia) will reprise their roles.
Former Dexter actress Jaime Murray will also appear as Gaia, a friend of Lucretia, while Marisa Ramirez will play "a beautiful slave girl with complicated relationships".
Whitfield - who recently announced that he has recovered from a battle with cancer - will appear briefly in two episodes.
The miniseries is expected to air in January on Starz, while a second season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand will begin filming later this year.

Richard Dower · 22-07-2010 2:08am

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a247652/andy-whitfield-thanks-fans-for-support.html

Richard Dower · 22-07-2010 9:36am

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a248380/lawless-spartacus-future-uncertain.html

See, i don't get this?....it seemed pretty obvious in the S1 finale that Lucritia is dead, she got stabbed in the womb ffs!, pumping blood...she's collapses beside Batiatus, so how the hell can she survive?

Seriously, she should just be dead...what more could she add to season 2?

J-blk · 22-07-2010 10:30am

Richard Dower wrote: »

Seriously, she should just be dead...what more could she add to season 2?

Yep, it'd be just stupid to bring her back for season 2 - makes perfect sense for the prequel but none for season 2 "proper" itself. Anyway, with Ashur, Ilithia and Glaber still out there, there's no shortage of adversaries and I'm sure new ones will be introduced as well.

Richard Dower · 22-07-2010 10:37am

^ exactly!....i'd prefer new kick ass characters and as stated Ilythia and Ashur are very good characters to keep alive for S2...the two biggest snakes survived, it made sense!

Lucritia and Batiatus had it coming all season, as much as i loved the characters and wanted to see more of them i think the prequel serves that purpose, no need to drag then into Spartacus season 2 (proper).

Richard Dower · 22-07-2010 12:20pm

BY JUPITER'S COCK! - i miss saying that!

Richard Dower · 24-07-2010 1:45am

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a248547/spartacus-ramirez-im-such-a-prude.html

Mezcita · 24-07-2010 1:56am

Richard Dower wrote: »

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a247652/andy-whitfield-thanks-fans-for-support.html

Jaime Murray.

Squuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrttttttttt.

Ahem. Excuse me.

Richard Dower · 24-07-2010 2:57pm

OMG!...teaser trailer posted:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB_H3HyosCA

F*CK! , no new footage save for a voice over from John Hannah :mad:
Jezz...i'm a pleb, they haven't even started filming yet...but hey, it's a legit teaser, of sorts.

ziedth · 24-07-2010 3:33pm

I only finished blood and sands this week but I think I'm more looking forward to this then anything else at the moment.

Thargor · 24-07-2010 9:56pm

By Jupiters Cock I hate prequels of established shows instead of making series that continue the plot, Caprica, Star Trek: Enterprise etc, they always suck, same goes for films and games.

Kiith · 24-07-2010 10:46pm

Thargor wrote: »

By Jupiters Cock I hate prequels of established shows instead of making series that continue the plot, Caprica, Star Trek: Enterprise etc, they always suck, same goes for films and games.

I'd kind of agree, but considering the reasons behind this, i'm delighted its being made. Show's how much faith Stars have in the show.

Dudess · 26-07-2010 10:38pm

I'm catching this at the mo' - one of the funniest (unintentionally) programmes I've ever watched. Pure explicitness for the sake of it - the most frequently used word is "cock". Teenage boys would fuppin' love it! :pac:

Classic line earlier - "Her **** overflows at the thought of having a gladiator" (or something). :eek: :pac:

Richard Dower · 27-07-2010 1:48am

Details of prequel revealed at Comic-Con: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a250830/spartacus-stars-reveal-prequel-details.html

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a250821/spartacus-creator-defends-dialogue.html

Richard Dower · 10-08-2010 9:19pm

Whtfield on prequel + S2: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a259328/whitfield-new-spartacus-will-kick-ass.html#article_continue

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a259281/spartacus-exec-prequel-will-mix-it-up.html

Richard Dower · 11-09-2010 5:54pm

Episode 3 of the prequel currently shooting, directed by Michael Hurst:

http://spartacus.ausxip.com/prequel/2010/08/michael-hurst-to-direct-episdoe-3-of-god.html

Richard Dower · 02-10-2010 11:18pm

^ legit promo....OMG!!!!....what did i say about wanting Jaime Murray in Spartacus!!!!!.....LOOK ^^^^^^^^

http://www.starz.com/pressroom/spartacusgota

http://spartacus.ausxip.com/prequel/castinfo.php

Richard Dower · 15-10-2010 9:22am

Richard Dower · 01-11-2010 3:45pm

Spartacus: GOTA starts Friday, January 21st!

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/10/28/exclusive-spartacus-gods-of-the-arena-to-premiere-friday-january-21-625210/8949/

I have spoiler tagged the following text/press release as it details a synopsis of the upcoming series:

A network rep has confirmed said date for the project, a six-episode prequel to last year's "Spartacus: Blood and Sand."

Here's how the network details the series:

Before Spartacus struck down his first opponent in the arena, there were many gladiators who passed though the gates onto the sand. "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," the highly anticipated prequel to Starz' hit series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," tells the story of the original Champion of the House of Batiatus: Gannicus (Dustin Clare) in a more ruthless time before Spartacus' arrival where honor was just finding it's way into the arena. The new series adds to the cast Jaime Murray as Capua's sexy social climber Gaia and Marisa Ramirez as Melitta, a beautiful slave who must face the ultimate decision of the heart. Jeffrey Thomas plays Batiatus's father Titus, the traditional and cautious Lanista, head of the Ludus. They join returning cast members John Hannah (Quintus Batiatus), Lucy Lawless (Lucretia), Peter Mensah (Oenomaus, before he becomes Doctore, the gladiator trainer) and Manu Bennett (Crixus).

As the prequel begins, Quintus Batiatus is the acting Lanista while his father Titus is on an extended visit to Sicilia. But Batiatus isn't satisfied with just the thought of taking over the Ludus one day; he aspires to political power and prestige in Capua, and perhaps beyond. In the class-conscious world of ancient Rome, the House of Batiatus must first earn the respect of both politicians and socialites before being granted the right for its gladiators to fight in the much-revered championship bouts called the Primus. Batiatus must not only survive the harsh politics of Capua, but also compel his hedonistic fighter, Gannicus, to embrace being a champion gladiator who will bring esteem and respect to the House of Batiatus. "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" is produced by Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi, Joshua Donen and Steven S. DeKnight. Season one of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" was the highest rated show for the 18-49 demographic among all cable networks for 12 of the 13 Fridays on which it aired based on coverage rating.

The pay channel previously ordered a second season of "Blood and Sand" however star Andy Whitfield's departure to resume aggressive treatment for a recurrence of cancer has put the show's future up in the air while a replacement actor is found or the decision is made to close up shop completely.

Richard Dower · 26-11-2010 3:43am

Since my ass was banned, i couldn't point out all the cool new promos out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou2TvLK9jzg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVuGTLGEyyI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVuGTLGEyyI&feature=channel

maxxie · 26-11-2010 4:02am

the language in that programme is appalling

f this f that,

mufcboy1999 · 26-11-2010 4:14am

huge fan, but can anyone tell me why someone different is playing spartacus? i heard the original spartacus had cancer and they had to move on is that true?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8dTOGlKZtI

Richard Dower · 26-11-2010 4:31am

maxxie wrote: »

the language in that programme is appalling

f this f that,

Nah...that's what makes it great!

+ the nudity, characters, violence, storytelling etc.

Richard Dower · 26-11-2010 4:33am

mufcboy1999 wrote: »

huge fan, but can anyone tell me why someone different is playing spartacus? i heard the original spartacus had cancer and they had to move on is that true?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8dTOGlKZtI

Andy Whitfield/Sparatacus isin't in it...it's a new guy called Gannicus, this is a prequel, before Sparty showed up.

L31mr0d · 26-11-2010 5:12am

Richard Dower wrote: »

Nah...that's what makes it great!
+ the nudity, characters, violence, storytelling etc.

FYP

Richard Dower · 26-11-2010 6:10am

More vids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_YE57xPEvI

Jaime Murray is a huge + for me, she's a very good actress...and if she gets nekid....oh yeah!

mufcboy1999 · 26-11-2010 4:30pm

Richard Dower wrote: »

Andy Whitfield/Sparatacus isin't in it...it's a new guy called Gannicus, this is a prequel, before Sparty showed up.

cheers bud, thats great news i taught they changed spartacus which would of retty much ruined it, happy days

jor el · 26-11-2010 5:16pm

mufcboy1999 wrote: »

cheers bud, thats great news i taught they changed spartacus which would of retty much ruined it, happy days

They are changing him for season 2. Andy Whitfield has cancer, and will not be back acting for quite some time, if ever.

Richard Dower · 26-11-2010 5:35pm

jor el wrote: »

They are changing him for season 2. Andy Whitfield has cancer, and will not be back acting for quite some time, if ever.

I know you didn't mean it the way it sounded/read....but Andy's still with us!

mufcboy1999 · 26-11-2010 5:52pm

jor el wrote: »

They are changing him for season 2. Andy Whitfield has cancer, and will not be back acting for quite some time, if ever.

ye i heard that but i didn't know if it was true or not, thats gonna be tough to watch a new spartacus i honestly cant stand new people playing original characters but what can you the chap is physically sick.

do you not mean season 3 with gods of the arena being season 2?

Colmo52 · 26-11-2010 6:12pm

Really looking forward to this

don ramo · 28-11-2010 11:42pm

mufcboy1999 wrote: »

ye i heard that but i didn't know if it was true or not, thats gonna be tough to watch a new spartacus i honestly cant stand new people playing original characters but what can you the chap is physically sick.

do you not mean season 3 with gods of the arena being season 2?

gods of the arena is kinda a prequel they came up with while andy fought cancer, showing what the ludus was like before his arrival, it gave him enough time to recover, but just as he was getting back into shape the cancer came back,

so its not a season 2, more like an add-on to season 1, its gonna be 6 epsidoes long AFAIK, season 2 with 13 episodes will premier next autum with a new spartacus,

Richard Dower · 09-12-2010 1:16am

Spartacus producer Steven S. DeKnight has confirmed that upcoming prequel Gods of the Arena will be a standalone experience.

In an official Starz interview, DeKnight insisted that it is not necessary to have watched the first season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand in order to understand the new six-part series.

"The great thing about the prequel is, it stands by itself as a story," he confirmed. "If you didn't see season one, you can [still] completely enjoy and understand everything that's going on. All the information is there, everything's filled in [and] all the characters are introduced."

He also hinted that the prequel would contain a great deal of "murder and back-stabbing".

"Everybody is trying to get ahead...so there is a lot of maneuvering," he said. "There's a lot of lying, cheating [and] murdering... and many surprises as well [in terms of] who's doing what to who."

DeKnight suggested that Gods of the Arena would continue with the "take no prisoners" approach of its parent series.

"We will go places that other television shows fear to tread," he promised. "We don't shy away from the sexuality [or] the violence. We try to portray it as realistically as possible."

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena premieres on January 21 on Starz.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a292107/spartacus-creator-teases-prequel.html

^ can't wait for this to start!!

New article/interview/sneak peak video!: http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/12/08/spartacus/

Mr Trade In · 09-12-2010 1:13pm

Looks good,would I be right in thinking if the US premier is January this will most likely not be on Bravo or TV3 until this time next year?

Richard Dower · 10-12-2010 4:51pm

Some cool promo pics: http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/12/spartacus-gods-of-arena-cast.html

I picked out these two as they are new characters:

Richard Dower · 18-12-2010 11:40am

News + article roundup:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3275049/Jaime-Murray-is-happy-to-strip.html

http://www.ausxip.com/video/archives/2550

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/bloody_hit_FwHWhXcsLRRvNwa46uZd5M#ixzz181RyG13v

Richard Dower · 30-12-2010 1:59pm

Episode titles + air dates:

1) Past Transgressions (Jan. 21)
2) Mission (Jan. 28)
3) Paterfamilias (Feb. 4)
4) Beneath the Mask (Feb. 11)
5) Reckoning (Feb. 18)
6) The Bitter End (Feb. 25)

^ titles might give stuff away. Camelot episode 1 premieres in full after the finale, i'm predicting monster rating 1.5-2 million viewers.