Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

I'm excited.

Me too, I hope they can build on what Season 1 had.  I loved the show and can't wait for this one.

Need to set my DVR.  I also read this morning that they are going ahead with recasting Andy Whitfield (Spartacus) for season 2

This show is going to rock even if it is only half as good as season 1. I'm glad that they well be able to bring the actor back for season 2.

I think you misunderstood what Adam meant. Andy Whitfield will not be back as Spartacus for season 2. His cancer has returned and they've decided to look for another actor to take the role.
 

We've got a new Spartacus.  Australia's Liam McIntyre.

I hope Ange is doing well.  I don't know the new guy, but I didn't know Andy.  He was instantly likeable.  I hope this guy is similar.

http://tv.ign.com/articles/114/1144353p1.html

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/liam-mcintyre-replace-andy-whitfield-72566

LIAM MCINTYRE CHOSEN TO PLAY TITLE ROLE IN NEW ‘SPARTACUS’

Australian Actor Picked to Topline Hit Series for StarzProduction of Season 2 Is Set to Begin in New Zealand by Spring 2011

Beverly Hills, CA – Jan. 17, 2011 – Australian film and TV actor Liam McIntyre has excelled at a grueling and rigorous audition process to claim the title role in the second season of Starz’ hit franchise, “Spartacus,” Starz, LLC, President and CEO Chris Albrecht announced today.

McIntyre takes over the role of the Thracian warrior sold into slavery in the Roman Republic city of Capua – where he rises to become the champion of the city – before leading the slave revolt that ended Season 1. The part was played in the first season of “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” by Andy Whitfield, who was forced to leave the show in order due to health issues. Whitfield gave his blessing to the recasting.

“Since no one can really replace Andy, we realized that we should instead find an actor who can truly lead ‘Spartacus’ forward,” Albrecht notes. “It was important to us to have Andy endorse the idea of recasting this part, which he did in the same heroic manner that he’s dealt with his whole ordeal. And that, coupled with our fortune in finding a young actor with the gladiator credentials and the acting ability of Liam, makes it easier for us to keep this hit franchise going.”

Liam McIntyre made his mark in his native Australia on such series as “Neighbours,” and “Rush.” He also appeared in the HBO mini-series “The Pacific.” He recently completed his first feature starring role in the independent film Frozen Moments. McIntyre is currently in New Zealand, getting himself into gladiator shape in order to take on that iconic role. Production on the series is slated to resume by Spring of 2011.

From the time “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” debuted on Starz in January, 2010, it established itself as an epic production with rich storytelling and visuals unlike anything seen previously on any TV show. Audiences responded immediately, making it the most-watched premiere in Starz’ history, and making the show the most watched cable program on nearly two-thirds of the Fridays it aired original episodes. Also starring John Hannah as Batiatus, Lucy Lawless as Lucretia, Peter Mensah as Doctore, Manu Bennett as Crixus and Viva Bianca as Ilythia, “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” was one of the most talked-about and best-loved TV shows of 2010. Season 2 of the series finds Spartacus and his fellow gladiators now out of Capua and engaged in the massive slave rebellion against Roman society that has echoed through time.

“Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” a six-part prequel that tells the story of the House of Batiatus gladiator school, and the intricate personal, sexual and political maneuverings in Capua five years before “Blood and Sand” was set, debuts at 10 p.m. et/pt on Friday, Jan. 21. Dustin Clare, as the charismatic and self-destructive gladiator Gannicus, joins Hannah, Lawless, Mensah and Bennett in the event series.

This show continues to pull no punches, from the mundane stuff, to sex, drugs and gladiator violence.  I'll be back for more next week.

Simply brilliant, visceral entertainment. 

I still can't believe Lucy Lawless gets naked. For some reason before this show I never thought that'd happen. She's such a beautiful woman. The spurting blood from the beheaded I can do without, but all in all, it's entertaining.

I thought it was a pretty good first show. It does have a lot of the look and feel of the first one. I agree on the attention to detail in the sets. This show does push the boundaries on so many fronts.

I thought it was a great start to the show, and is in midseason form.  It's crazy that Batiatis(sp?) and his friend will become enemies.  Lucy Lawless looks as good as ever.

Wish there are more then 6 episodes.

Great start to the prequel series.  This show is pure entertainment: a fitting match to its subject matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikah Cerucco 

 The spurting blood from the beheaded I can do without....

 

Perhaps you should avoid this series, really.

Great first episode, I'm the same as some of you in that I wish it was more than just 6 episodes.  Gonna be great to see how they show the rise of Crixus, should be a good ride.....John Hannah is just masterful in his role as Batiatus and I wish they hadn't killed him off but definitely understand why they had too.  Also, I thought it was cool to see him and Solonius as friends so I'm curious to see how that goes south.

All in all, a great start to the series.

Correct Matt, except as a prequel we do know who will survive, which can somewhat lessen the tension in precarious scenes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett Adams 

Correct Matt, except as a prequel we do know who will survive, which can somewhat lessen the tension in precarious scenes.

 It was a very intense scene with Crixus fighting at the end and I even knew Crixus would survive but it was still intense nontheless.

I thought the 2nd episode was freaking awesome from start to finish and they did put a lot of stuff into that hour; I looked at my DVR thinking it was almost over and it was only 23 minutes in.  The house of Batiatis usually gets the end they sought, but it doesn't always go as they would like regarding both their Gladiators and Concubines; the Roman leaders are always pissing on their plans in some form.

This show is so good.

It's not a matter of who will survive, but how they survive.

Never have I wanted to be red wine more...

Oh, you liked that?  I had to laugh at that scene, how completely unleashed they are with this miniseries.  Lucy is certainly game.  Who would have thought, back in the Xena days, that we'd be seeing so much of her one day?   It's now 16 years since Xena debuted, and she hasn't lost a thing.

Yeah, good episode this week, even with Ashur's evil ways peeking through when dealing with the politically powerful and selling out anyone to gain an advantage or to stay alive.  And Lucretia has some rubicons to cross soon as Titus lays down the law on his son.

I can't believe there's only 2 episodes left.  I freakin love this show.....There's so many storylines that they can take off with and make another 'pre-quel' of sorts or just continue on until Season 2 gets finished.  Great stuff though, and I am in agreement that it's sad they killed off Batiatus, he's such a great actor in this genre.