Starz Original Series SPARTACUS: Blood and Sand

[Prison Mike]

Damn. This terrible news. I wish him and his family all the best. I can't see the show conitnuing without him though.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Well damn

 

[triplet]

Damn.

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/09/andy-whitfield-not-returning-to-spartacus.html

I hope Andy Whitfield gets past it this time.



So sad. Wish him and his family the best.

 

[Raiden]

Damn.

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

I don't think Whitfield should be replaced on Spartacus. It would be disrespectful to him and disrespectful to his fans. I know Spartacus is a historical figure, but in the context of this show Whitfield IS Spartacus as much as Michael C Hall IS Dexter or James Gandolfini IS Tony Soprano.

Damn I hope he makes it through. Best thing to do is give Spartacus a two or three year hiatus and then if Whitfield can come back, then that would be great. But no Spartacus without Andy Whitfield.

 

[Primal Slayer]

While I wish him well, it sucks that this could possibly end Spartacus. But if they expand the prequel then some more then bring us an offical S2 in late 2011 or summer of 2012, I think it would be fine with the show.

 

[kguillou]

Thats a great idea actually. If i were Starz, I would expand the prequel series, maybe make it a 10 episode season or something. That would tide the fans over and give Andy time to heal. Then hopefully, by late 2011, Andy will be in good health and they can start season 2 for early-mid 2012. I think that would be the best option here.

 

[Golgo-13]

Andy Whitfield, star of Starz's "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," has been advised by his doctors to immediately resume aggressive treatment for a recurrence of cancer, as a result of which he will not be returning for the series' second season, which was tentatively set to air in September 2011.

"It's with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project as Spartacus and all the wonderful people involved. It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey. Thank you sincerely for the support so far," said Whitfield.

"Our hearts and prayers are with Andy and his family during this difficult time," said Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht. "Andy is not only an incredible actor whose portrayal of Spartacus made an indelible impression on Starz audiences, he is also an amazing human being whose courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity have inspired all of us."

No decisions have yet been made about the future of the series. "Right now, we just want to extend our concern and support to Andy and his family," said Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director, Starz Media. "We will address our programming plans at some later date."

Starz still plans to air the prequel to "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" in January 2011. Entitled "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," it focuses on the House of Batiatus before Spartacus arrives in Capua and stars returning cast members John Hannah, Lucy Lawless, Peter Mensah and Manu Bennett, along with newcomer Dustin Clare.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=69930



As much as i hate to say it now, i think from Starz's stand point re-casting might be an option they're exploring.

Get well soon Andy.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Well every report has Andy offically leaving the show so i guess thats what they will do.

 

[kguillou]

I think Starz is gonna wait for him. I think for now they'll focus on the prequel, maybe extend it and then pray that Andy is well by next summer and willing to continue the series. If (and i hope its not the case) Andy still isnt well by then, then yeah i think Starz will prolly recast.

 

[ChickenScratch]

Well he has stepped down from the role so I don't see why they would wait on him. There are many people who's livelihood depends upon the show being in production, that's why they did the prequel, to keep people working and not jumping ship to another project. If they keep on waiting who's to say that the cast, crew and staff won't be tied up in other jobs when Andy gets better?

 

[kguillou]

I dont think Andy's "officially" done with the show. I'm sure Starz and Andy came to some sort of conditional agreement depending on his health. Obviously they're not gonna wait forever for him, but i do think they're gonna give him a bit more time until they start looking at recasting. They're not cancelling the show, i'm almost positive of that. From a business standpoint that wouldnt be wise for the network at all.

 

[ChickenScratch]

He has stepped down, because of his health. How much more official do you need it to be than Andy himself saying he has stepped down? http://omg.yahoo.com/news/spartacus-star-andy-whitfield-leaves-show-after-cancer-recurrence/47423?nc

"It's with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project as Spartacus and all the wonderful people involved," Whitfield said in a statement. "It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey. Thank you sincerely for the support so far."

 

[triplet]

It seems pretty clear that he's done with the show, it's sad but I suppose it wasn't meant to be.

If they start back up with another Spartacus, it won't be the same show at all. Andy will be a hard act to follow.

If anyone wants to wish Andy well, they're sending him messages over on AUSXIP. The actress that plays Naevia will see visit him next week and said she would take messages to him.

You can reply here:

http://andywhitfield.ausxip.com/supportandy/?p=1#more-1http://spartacus.ausxip.com/2010/09/send-a-message-of-support-to-andy.html

 

[Prison Mike]

This is a shame. I love Andy as Spartacus and I hate re-castings in general. I guess it must be done though. Jobs of hundreds of people are at stake so I guess the show must go on without Andy.

 

[Golgo-13]

This is a shame. I love Andy as Spartacus and I hate re-castings in general. I guess it must be done though. Jobs of hundreds of people are at stake so I guess the show must go on without Andy.

Exactly. Cancer is a weird thing. As much as they probably hate to go on without Andy, what's to say his cancer doesn't crop up again during the shooting of season 2? As this point they'll either can the show after the prequel, or re-cast.

 

[Primal Slayer]

If they do recast I just hope that the actor they find is nearly as good as Andy. Espically if the prequel is a hit then they will march foward with an offical 2nd season.

 

[Siby]

I don't think Whitfield should be replaced on Spartacus. It would be disrespectful to him and disrespectful to his fans. I know Spartacus is a historical figure, but in the context of this show Whitfield IS Spartacus as much as Michael C Hall IS Dexter or James Gandolfini IS Tony Soprano.

Damn I hope he makes it through. Best thing to do is give Spartacus a two or three year hiatus and then if Whitfield can come back, then that would be great. But no Spartacus without Andy Whitfield.

I don't mean to be disrespectful or rude but your statements is all sorts of stupidity. If the actor leaves a show, for whatever reason, he has forsaken his rights to the said property. Obviously in this case Mr. Whitfield was advised to leave the show and focus on his health. But I'm sure that he would want the show to continue because it affects so many people in the production of the show and because it's a damn good show. The show is bigger than any one actor.

but in the context of this show Whitfield IS Spartacus as much as Michael C Hall IS Dexter or James Gandolfini IS Tony Soprano.

You do realize that actors only portray characters on shows, cinema, and theater right? They do not become the character as you believe or are implying. If you were to ask any of those three actors you cited, I'm sure they do not associate themselves as the character they portray. I would suggest you try and disassociate the actor from the character. It will make telling the difference between reality and fantasy much easier.

I apologize for coming off harsh but it really bugs me when people can't separate actors from the character they portray. I wish Mr. Whitfield the best of luck and hopes he does well in his acting career. But as the old saying goes, "The show must go on." and Starz should find another talented actor to take on the title role. It would be cool if Mr. Whitfield came out and endorsed another actor that Starz and the show runners chose to play Spartacus. That would be a gentlemanly thing to do and from what little I know of him, he seems like a good guy.

 

[AndThePickles]

While I totally understand why they need to recast, I can also anticipate trouble re-launching the show with a new actor. As evidenced by this thread, a lot of people get very attached to the way an actor plays a character.

 

[Golgo-13]

Yes, whoever fills Andy's shoes, have some big shoes to fill that's for sure. I'm sure they'll cast another relatively unknown Australian actor.

 

[kguillou]

I don't mean to be disrespectful or rude but your statements is all sorts of stupidity. If the actor leaves a show, for whatever reason, he has forsaken his rights to the said property. Obviously in this case Mr. Whitfield was advised to leave the show and focus on his health. But I'm sure that he would want the show to continue because it affects so many people in the production of the show and because it's a damn good show. The show is bigger than any one actor.



You do realize that actors only portray characters on shows, cinema, and theater right? They do not become the character as you believe or are implying. If you were to ask any of those three actors you cited, I'm sure they do not associate themselves as the character they portray. I would suggest you try and disassociate the actor from the character. It will make telling the difference between reality and fantasy much easier.

I apologize for coming off harsh but it really bugs me when people can't separate actors from the character they portray. I wish Mr. Whitfield the best of luck and hopes he does well in his acting career. But as the old saying goes, "The show must go on." and Starz should find another talented actor to take on the title role. It would be cool if Mr. Whitfield came out and endorsed another actor that Starz and the show runners chose to play Spartacus. That would be a gentlemanly thing to do and from what little I know of him, he seems like a good guy.

In all fairness, i think what he was trying to say is sometimes, the actor who plays the lead role of a tv or movie can become SO synonomous with that character that its nearly impossible to replace them. I mean, there is NO way '24' would have gone on without Kiefer Sutherland. He IS Jack Bauer. People tune into the show to see Sutherland BE Jack Bauer. The same with Michael C Hall as Dexter or Michael Chiklis as Vic Mackey or even Mary Louise Parker as Nancy on Weeds.

The thing with Spartacus tho is the show's only been on for one season and while Andy did an absolute phenominal job as Sparatacus, it may be possible to replace him without permanently damaging the show since he hasn't been Spartacus for that long yet. It may be possible for another actor to come along and leave his mark at Spartacus. If Andy had been already been playing Spartacus for 2-3 seasons then this would be a different conversation.

BUT JJJ's Ulcer is right about how actors "become" their roles. Because whether you like it or not, at the end of the day, its their recognizable face that sells the show.

 

[XBRoughneck]

I don't think Whitfield should be replaced on Spartacus. It would be disrespectful to him and disrespectful to his fans. I know Spartacus is a historical figure, but in the context of this show Whitfield IS Spartacus as much as Michael C Hall IS Dexter or James Gandolfini IS Tony Soprano.

Damn I hope he makes it through. Best thing to do is give Spartacus a two or three year hiatus and then if Whitfield can come back, then that would be great. But no Spartacus without Andy Whitfield.

Come on now. It's a great show.

Sure, it's going to have a different feel. Yes. But, it's a show that's been on one 13 episode season. It's not like they would be replacing Sutherland in 24 after season 4.

My prayers go out to Andy and his family. I pray he beats the cancer.

BUT, as a fan of the show I expect them to find another "Spartacus" that can pull off the emotion as well as the physical action required. The next two seasons of Spartacus can focus on the war...and the other members of the show as well as the Spartacus character.

 

[BigSams50]

Spartacus wont be the same without him

 

[Primal Slayer]

This kind of makes me happy now that majority of the charecters from S1 are dead since if they replace Andy, the new actors interactions with everyone in S2 will be different and there are only 3 original charecters he will have to encounter.

 

[triplet]

Exactly. Cancer is a weird thing. As much as they probably hate to go on without Andy, what's to say his cancer doesn't crop up again during the shooting of season 2? As this point they'll either can the show after the prequel, or re-cast.

I think that's why Andy left, he doesn't want to throw all those people out of work again so close to the start of shooting.

The last time, he found out about the cancer about two months before the start of filming was set to begin. This time it's closer, it's only like 5 or 6 weeks.

Money has been spent, sets have been built, costumes made, people having jobs to support their families...

It was probably outrageously expensive for the show to hold off before and to expect them to do it again so close to filming? It's a lot to ask.

I like to think that it was Andy's choice this time, that he wanted to keep his friends from getting thrown out of work because of him.

In the long run, I think it's best for him too. He won't need to worry about going back to work before he's really ready for it. Hopefully he will recover for good this time and move onto something as wonderful as this show...

I'll miss him playing the part, but what's most important now is getting better. I really hope he can get past this for real this time.