Spartacus on Starz

[duccarlos]

At first I didn't pay much attention to it, then I saw the first episode and was hooked. Very similar to 300 and just as bloody. I'm also looking forward to "Game of Thrones" on HBO. I've read the books and it's like no fantasy book you have ever experienced. All in all, the "premium" channels are giving geeks like me a chance to see productions like they can only provide.

[JEFF_H]

Also avail on Netflix.

Also liked the series...but they didnt make a 2nd one.
low ratings (!)

[metallimonster]

I can't make the beast with two backsing wait for Game of Thrones.  Winter is coming pregnant doges.  Now if Martin would get off his lazy fat ass and finish the book that was supposed to be out 4 years ago.

I can see GoT becoming a very big hit.  It will appeal to other people than just hardcore fantasy geeks.  Incest, brutal killings, horsepeople deflowering all kinds of goodies.

[Monster Dave]

Also avail on Netflix.

Also liked the series...but they didnt make a 2nd one.
low ratings (!)

They didn't make a second season because Andy Whitfield (Spartacus) was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and needed immediate treatment. Starz waited for him to complete treatment and was planning on moving forward with season 2 after he had a chance to get back in shape.

However, shortly after he started physical conditioning for season 2 his cancer returned and he had to again return for "aggressive" treatment. Though Starz had waited, they could wait no longer as they were continuing to loose both time and money. So rather than write him off (so to speak), Starz opted to do a prequel that will build up to the story that we know in the hopes that Andy Whitfield will return to his role in 2012.

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena will be six episodes long, and is set to debut in January 2011. Returning cast members include Peter Mensah (Doctore), Manu Bennett (Crixus), Antonio Te Maioha (Barca), Nick E. Tarabay (Ashur) and Lesley-Ann Brandt (Naevia), Lucy Lawless (Lucretia), and John Hannah as Batiatus.

You're really got to hand it to Starz for showing so much support for him during a hard time.  

[duccarlos]

Yep, the prequel starts on Jan 22 IIRC. I watch all of season 1 on demand.

I can't make the beast with two backsing wait for Game of Thrones.  Winter is coming pregnant doges.  Now if Martin would get off his lazy fat ass and finish the book that was supposed to be out 4 years ago.

I can see GoT becoming a very big hit.  It will appeal to other people than just hardcore fantasy geeks.  Incest, brutal killings, horsepeople deflowering all kinds of goodies.

I have been waiting for years but recently read that he only needs to finish 5 chapters. The show is going to put pressure on him to finish the books. it's supposed to be 7 in the series and the show should be 1 book per season. He needs to start on book 6 and 7 soon since the scipt will need to be based on the books. Best fantasy series eva!

[JEFF_H]

They didn't make a second season because Andy Whitfield (Spartacus) was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and needed immediate treatment.

Thanks for the info, i stand corrected.
(I have a friend that was just diagnosed with the same thing. finished last chemo a couple months ago...)

[metallimonster]

Yep, the prequel starts on Jan 22 IIRC. I watch all of season 1 on demand.

I have been waiting for years but recently read that he only needs to finish 5 chapters. The show is going to put pressure on him to finish the books. it's supposed to be 7 in the series and the show should be 1 book per season. He needs to start on book 6 and 7 soon since the scipt will need to be based on the books. Best fantasy series eva!

Well it turned into 8 books because 5 was split right?  Kind of a pregnant dog because 5 came out with only half the characters and supposedly the second part was to come out shortly after.  That was 5 years ago and still no finish to book 5 (really 6).   Who knows what is in store for the rest.  

If you ask me, he got butt hurt because Robert Jordan (author of the real best fantasy series eva) died and got a lot of attention.  I love Martin's writing but he comes off as egotistical, selfish and kind of a douche in interviews and online.

Lots of up in comers nipping at Martin's heels.  Sanderson and Erikson both give the fans what they want in a very timely manner.  Shit Sanderson will finish 3 books that he didn't even create in about half the time it is taking Martin to finsh one half of a book all while writing 2 or more books of his own.  That's dedication to the fans.  He was picked by Jordan and made an effort to get the books to the fans ASAP.

Still- I can't wait for the show and all of the new books. I think you are right in that the show will push him to finish the books.  HBO won't make the beast with two backs around waiting for him.  

[Monster Dave]

Thanks for the info, i stand corrected.
(I have a friend that was just diagnosed with the same thing. finished last chemo a couple months ago...)

We did work for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society this year and raised just under $9,000 for research and treatment of blood cancers. It's a terrible thing to see how many people have some form of cancer.

Best of luck to your friend having a speedy recovery. 

[duccarlos]

Well it turned into 8 books because 5 was split right?  Kind of a pregnant dog because 5 came out with only half the characters and supposedly the second part was to come out shortly after.  That was 5 years ago and still no finish to book 5 (really 6).   Who knows what is in store for the rest.  

If you ask me, he got butt hurt because Robert Jordan (author of the real best fantasy series eva) died and got a lot of attention.  I love Martin's writing but he comes off as egotistical, selfish and kind of a douche in interviews and online.

Lots of up in comers nipping at Martin's heels.  Sanderson and Erikson both give the fans what they want in a very timely manner.  Shit Sanderson will finish 3 books that he didn't even create in about half the time it is taking Martin to finsh one half of a book all while writing 2 or more books of his own.  That's dedication to the fans.  He was picked by Jordan and made an effort to get the books to the fans ASAP.

Still- I can't wait for the show and all of the new books. I think you are right in that the show will push him to finish the books.  HBO won't make the beast with two backs around waiting for him.  

I agree, he is an ego maniac. I had lost much interest in fantasy, since they mostly used the same formula over and over. I also understand about getting stuff out there for the fans, but some of the stuff is diluted (again because they follow the same formula) I really enjoyed the first books Feist wrote and have since given up.

I'm not sure if they will count this next book as continuation or its own.

[Monster Dave]

Announced today: LIAM MCINTYRE SIGNED ON TO REPLACE ANDY WHITFIELD IN SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND

After Whitfield had to step away from the lead role in Spartacus: Blood and Sand last September when his cancer returned. Starz was left with two options: recast the role of Spartacus or cancel the series.

Word last week from Starz president and CEO Chris Albrecht was that they were following through with the second season and they were close to recasting the title role. Now, it's been officially announced that, after an exhaustive search, Starz has signed on Aussie actor, Liam McIntyre.

The actor's recent credits include the role of Lew in the HBO mini-series The Pacific and roles in various shorts.

[duccarlos]

It's for the best considering that it would die if not taken up relatively quickly. Prequel starts this weekend.

[Monster Dave]

It's for the best considering that it would die if not taken up relatively quickly. Prequel starts this weekend.

I'm looking forward to it. Blood and Sand was great and hopefully it will continue that way.

[duccarlos]

From what I understand, this is just a 6 episode to hold you over. I really hope they film it relatively quickly. I don't want to wait until next year to see new episodes.

[redxblack]

I thought the Sci-Fi channel's take on Dune would have been a big hit. I guess it was too close to the book/too geeky.

[duccarlos]

Never too geeky. It probably didn't translate too well to the younger viewers. I can read that book and/or watch the movie thousands of times and still enjoy it.