What’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand to do with no Spartacus?
Starz executives have yet to decide what to do in the wake of Andy Whitfield’s cancer relapse, but the network has acknowledged its two likely options: replace Whitfield or end the series.
“The two main options are to close up shop or recast,” Spartacus executive producer Steven S. DeKnight tells Entertainment Weekly. “I want to talk to Andy and find out how he feels about the options.”
Don’t expect an answer anytime soon, however. Whitfield’s treatment will take time, plus Starz is still going forward with a prequel to the series, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, set to begin airing in January 2011. “We’re still absorbing what’s happened,” DeKnight tells EW. “I think it’s going to be a little while before we reach any conclusions.”
Meanwhile, Starz rep Paul Campbell tells TV Guide the show is considering whether to recast Whitfield’s role. “Everything’s kind of happened quickly and it’s too early to say what we’re doing definitively, but we’re starting to explore ideas for recasting with Andy’s involvement,” Campbell says.
In best of all worlds, could Starz extend the prequel’s six-episode run, giving Whitfield enough time to recover? We’ll find out.
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