Filming has officially begun at Cinecitta Studios in Rome on the gladiatorial epic series “Those About to Die” starring Anthony Hopkins as Roman Empeeor Vespasian alongside a large ensemble cast.
Freshly hopping onboard are Iwan Rheon, Liraz Charhi, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Eneko Sagardoy, Pepe Barroso, Gonçalo Almeida, Kyshan Wilson and Alicia Edogamhe.
They join Tom Hughes as Vespasian’s older son alongside Jojo Macari as the younger son. Sara Martins, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas and Moe Hashim also star in the production.
The drama unfolds in the complex and corrupt world of ancient Rome’s spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition. The ensemble of characters covers all corners of the Roman Empire who collide at the explosive intersection of sports, politics and dynasties.
The project is completely separate from the other two swords-and-sandals epics on the way including the “Gladiator” film sequel and Starz’s “Spartacus” series which is planning a revival.
Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner direct the series which has been written by Oscar nominee Robert Rodat and inspired by the titular non-fiction classic by Daniel Mannix. Emmerich, Gianni Nunnari and Harald Kloser executive produce alongside numerous others.
The series is rumored to be targeting a 2024 release with the series to be a Peacock exclusive in the U.S.
Source: Peacock
