Summary
Those About to Die’sepic story of blood and sport is fast approaching. Adapted from Daniel P. Mannix’s 1958 novel of the same name, the series sets out to uncover ancient Rome’s brutal business of gladiatorial competition. Co-directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner,Those About to Diewill explore this facet of Roman entertainment, which comprises complex notions of sport, politics, and dynasties, through the perspective of characters from all walks of Roman life. The ensemble will feature TV notables, such asGame of Thrones’Iwan RheonandVikings: Valhalla’sJóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, two-time Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins, and more.
David Wurawa
Gavros
Those About to Diereleases ahead ofRidley Scott’sGladiator 2, the second installment of a franchise drawn from the same source of inspiration. Scott’s critically acclaimed, multi-awarding winning swords-and-sandals epicGladiator(2000) also adapted material from Mannix’s historical fiction novel. If Emmerich and Kreuzpaintner’s upcoming project can draw onGladiator’sbest characteristics while putting a distinct spin on Mannix’s source material, thenThose About to Diecould prove to be not only the perfect series to watch during the wait forGladiator 2but a gladiatorial epic that’s worth the watch and investment on its own.
Peacock’s $140 Million TV Series Is Gladiator 2’s Biggest Threat
Although Gladiator 2 could be the biggest movie of 2024, Peacock’s new $140 million TV series could prove to be Gladiator 2’s biggest threat.
Those About To Die Releases Thursday, July 18th On Peacock
Those About to Die Will Likely Be Released At 5 AM EST
WhereasGladiator 2will release in theaters on the cusp of the holiday season - specifically, November 22nd of this year -Those About to Diewill occupy the summeronPeacock’s July 2024 slate. The series will premierethis Thursday, the 18th, though an exact time has yet to be specified. Typically, the streaming service will release new content at 5 AM EST (2 AM PT, 10 AM BST), soThose About to Die’slaunch will likely adhere to this scheduling.
That said, Peacock has released new content later than expected and without notice in the past. So, interested viewers should prepare for the occasion that the streaming service releasesThose About to Diein the afternoon or evening of the 18th. Regardless of what time the series debuts,Those About to Diewill be a major binge opportunity, as it will drop in its entirety. Outside the United States, the series will be available for international viewing on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, July 19th.
How Many Episodes Those About To Die Has
Those About To Die Season 1 Consists Of Ten Episodes
Those About to Dieconsists of ten episodes and is using a budget of more than $150 millionto bring them to fruition (perVariety). With that big a budget, which surpasses the originalGladiatormovie by almost $40 million, the series can be expected to have high production value, such as an intricately constructed and historically ambitious set, on top of the big names already attached to the project. WhetherThose About to Dieuses its faculties to shine through the anticipation ofGladiator 2remains to be seen, though it appears to have a well-funded fighting chance.
Those About To Die
Cast
Set in the year 79 AD in Rome, “Those About to Die” dives into the brutal and complex world of gladiatorial combat. The series explores the dark underbelly of Roman entertainment, where the promise of free food and blood-soaked spectacles keep the restless population in check. The narrative focuses on various characters from all corners of the Roman Empire, whose lives intersect in the grand arena.
