All tag results for 'andy whitfield'

So sad. It doesn't seem fair. He was so young.

Andy Whitfield, best known for his role as Spartacus on the Starz series, passed away over the weekend. After 18 months, Andy lost his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, passing away in his home of Sydney, Australia yesterday afternoon.

The family released a statement, saying:

Tags: andy whitfield, australia, cancer, family, fans, friends, passed away, sad, statement, support, sydney

Last month, we were happy to report that Starz' prequel series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena started out strong, despite star Andy Whitfield's departure from the show.

Now, it looks like another cast member, Lesley-Ann Brandt, will be leaving the show.

Brandt has reportedly quit the show to pursue other pilot projects, and her character Naevia will be recast for the show's upcoming season, Spartacus: Vengeance, which will premiere on Starz in late 2011.

Spartacus fans really seem to love this series, so we're thinking that they'll be able to handle the role being recast.

Do U watch the show? If so, who do U think would be good to take over the role of Naevia?

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: 2011, andy whitfield, lesley ann brandt, naevia, quit, recast, spartacus, spartacus gods of the arena, spartacus vengeance, starz

…Liam McIntyre!

Last week, we learned that it was between Liam McIntyre and Dominic Purcell for the lead role in Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

Now, we've learned that Australian actor McIntyre has been chosen as the replacement for Andy Whitfield, after he had to exit the series to resume his cancer treatment.

Here's what Starz president/CEO Chris Albrecht had to say about the casting decision:

“Since no one can really replace Andy, we realized that we should instead find an actor who can truly lead Spartacus forward. It was important to us to have Andy endorse the idea of recasting this part, which he did in the same heroic manner that he’s dealt with his whole ordeal. And that, coupled with our fortune in finding a young actor with the gladiator credentials and the acting ability of Liam, makes it easier for us to keep this hit franchise going.”

We weren't 100% sure if Liam was jacked enough to play a gladiator, but he def looks more like Andy than Dominic Purcell, so overall, we're thinking this was a solid decision…esp if he can bulk up a bit before the show begins!

What do U think? Did they choose the right Spartacus?

[Images via WENN.]

Tags: andy whitfield, cancer, chris albrecht, dominic purcell, gladiator, jacked, liam mcintyre, spartacus, spartacus blood and sand, starz

Given the really tragic circumstances surrounding this, it will be a pretty somber victory for either of these guys.

After actor Andy Whitfield's cancer returned in September and forced him to resign from his title role on the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, the second season of the show has been in limbo as producers attempt to find a suitable replacement for the part.

Although three relatively unknown actors were said to be in contention, sources close to the production are now linking former Prison Break actor Dominic Purcell as the number one choice to replace Whitfield!

The actor is said to have e-mailed a screen-test to the Starz head honchos last Friday, and the decision is now between him and Liam McIntyre, whom we're hearing may not have the muscular frame to convincingly portray the character!

Hmm. We definitely think Liam looks a lot more like Andy, but he definitely needs to be pretty jacked if he's going to be a gladiator, so we can understand why Dominic has been pulled in for consideration, as well!

This is a toughie!

What do U think?? Who should get the part??

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: andy whitfield, cancer, dominic purcell, get well, liam mcintyre, muscular, prison break, producers, recast, replacement, resign, season two, spartacus blood and sand, starz

And then there were three.

With Andy Whitfield officially out of the hit Starz show (feel better, BB!), the search is one for someone to replace him. We're told that the list has been narrowed down to three, rather unknown actors to play the role. This week Stephen Amell, Aiden Turner and Liam McIntyre will all be flown to New Zealand to screen test for the starring role Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Sources believe that by the beginning of next week, the show will have its new hunk.

And what a delicious lot to choose from.

Hmm! Whoever is the casting director for this has the best job ever!

They're all so delectable, it's hard for us to choose! Who do U think is the best fit?

P.S. - Enjoy more sekiness in the photo gallery below!

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: aiden turner, andy whitfield, casting, director, liam mcintyre, new zealand, replacement, spartacus: bood and sand, stephen amell

While we continue to be sad that Andy Whitfield had to leave Spartacus: Blood and Sand due to health issues, we're def liking this potential replacement!

Prison Break's Wentworth Miller has expressed interest in the role, and we think he'd be great for it!

Okay, so maybe he hasn't been extremely busy lately and yeah, maybe he could stand to bulk up a bit, but he's totally the right guy to take on this role!

We're not sure who else might arise as potential Spartacus candidates, but we can tell you right now that we are absolutely on Team Wentworth.

What do U think about Wentworth Miller as Spartacus?

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: andy whitfield, bulk, candidates, prison break, spartacus

It has to be done, unfortunately.

Starz has put officially put out a casting notice looking for someone to replace Andy Whitfield on Spartacus. Since the actor has been advised by his doctors to resume "aggressive treatment" for his lymphoma, the studio was faced with a decision to either end the show all together or recast their star.

It seems the choice has been made.

It's a truly sucky situation for Andy, but his health is much more important!

We just hope he gets better soon!

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: andy whitfield, casting, doctors, health, recast, spartacus: bood and sand, treatment