Spartacus on Starz network

[Adam West]

I have never seen this happen before. The Starz network has been getting involved in some original series presumably to keep pace with HBO and Showtime. They just finished "Pillars of the Earth" based on Ken Follet's book.

They have been advertising a new original series called Spartacus that is going to be aired 2011.

I was tooling around Amazon.com the other day and to my surprise, Starz released Spartacus on DVD prior to it even being aired. I have never seen this happen before.

I am guessing that they have a lot of money tied up in the project and want to at least re-coup their investment in DVD sales so maybe that's why they have released it on DVD. It is an interesting concept and wonder if this was a great marketing move or will end up a dismal failure. I know for me; I'll just watch the DVD and won't bother watching it when it is on Starz but maybe they really don't care because they are making their money one way or the other.

[toys2cool]

It already aired last year, it's actually one of the best if not the best show ever!

[Adam West]

Ok....that makes sense then. Maybe the preview I saw was for a second season?

[supes]

The series was great. Unfortunatley the actor that plays Spartacus is battling cancer and has decided to leave the show to concentrate on getting better. Originally it was just going to be a delay but the cancer got worse.

They filmed 6 episodes that deal with Lucy Lawless's character and husband before Spartacus arrives at their Gladiator camp. That will be aired, they have not mentioned anything more about either replacing Spartacus or just ending the series.

[Hector]

Andy Whitfield will NOT be reprising his role of Spartacus...he was battling Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and was giving a clean bill of health...but unfortunately, after three months...his cancer has re occurred.

Very sad.

He will be making a brief appearance in the prequel mini series, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena...Batiatus and Lucretia will be reprising their roles.

The mini series was made because of Whitfield's illness.

[toys2cool]

Andy Whitfield will NOT be reprising his role of Spartacus...he was battling Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and was giving a clean bill of health...but unfortunately, after three months...his cancer has re occurred.

Very sad.

He will be making a brief appearance in the prequel mini series, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena...Batiatus and Lucretia will be reprising their roles.

The mini series was made because of Whitfield's illness.

man that sucks...he made that show, he was born for that role

[Captain]

Xena nude......How can this show fail!!!

[AJ Collector]

A buddy of mine burnt me copies of the first three seasons, I just finished season one and loved it, there was a definite Miller esque quality to it imo.

Sorry to hear about health issues with Whitfield, his role will be missed!