Those About To Die - Everything We Know So Far
Since NBC's subscription platform Peacock launched on July 15, 2020, it's been cranking out top quality TV shows and movies in nearly every genre. On the documentary side, Peacock has titles like "John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise" and "The Murder of Gabby Petito: Truth, Lies and Social Media." On the drama side, it's got hits like "Dr. Death," "Bel-Air," and "Vampire Academy." On the comedy side, Peacock boasts titles like "Girls5eva" and "Paul T. Goldman." All of this means Peacock can rival Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon when it comes to original content.
However, one genre that Peacock hasn't yet attempted is a lavish historical drama in the vein of "The Borgias" or "Wolf Hall." That's about to change with the upcoming TV series "Those About to Die," which will take viewers to the violent, gritty world of Roman gladiators–but that's just the start. With a $140 million budget (via Deadline), it should rival other big movies and TV shows set in the Eternal City, like "Gladiator" and "Rome."
Here's everything we know about "Those About to Die" so far.
What is the release date for Those About to Die?
At this point, "Those About to Die" doesn't yet have an official release date, but the good news is that the project is progressing along. As reported by Deadline, production will begin at Rome's Cinecitta studios in March.
Even if there's no release date, we can make an educated guess to narrow down the timeframe based on recent similar production schedules. "Those About to Die" is being produced by AGC Television, a production and distribution company that does both movies and TV shows. AGC's most recent TV series based on a book was "War of the Worlds," a collaboration between Fox and the BBC. Per The Verge, production on "War of the Worlds" began in the spring of 2018, and the show premiered on October 28, 2019. That's a turnaround time of about 18 months. If "Those About to Die" follows a similar timetable, expect it to drop sometime in the fall of 2024.
Peacock is obviously a different network, and the number of episodes "Those About to Die" will have hasn't yet been reported, so its schedule could be quite a bit different. Still, it feels like a safe bet that we won't see "Those About to Die" until next year.
What is the plot of Those About to Die?
"Those About to Die" is an adaptation of Daniel P. Mannix's 1958 nonfiction book "Those About to Die: or The Way of the Gladiator." That book was an in-depth exploration of all Roman bloodsports and not just the gladiator games, like chariot races, beast hunts, and public executions.
According to Deadline, the TV adaptation will be a sprawling ensemble drama with a diverse cast of characters from many different walks of Roman life. The series will explore multiple aspects of Roman society, from the gladiator games themselves to the corrupt politicians who fund them to the criminal economy that supplies the combatants. "Those About To Die takes on Ancient Rome in a completely new way," NBCUniversal Television and Streaming President Lisa Katz, told Deadline. "While the series will be epic in scope and have the spectacle of gladiators and chariot racing, it also has unexpected characters amidst palace intrigue and a dark criminal underworld."
Otherwise, more specific plot details and character descriptions will be forthcoming. We do know the series will be set during the reign of Emperor Vespasian–more on that below.
Who is in the cast of Those About to Die?
So far, "Those About to Die" only has one confirmed cast member, but he's a big one: two-time Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins. As reported by Deadline, he'll be playing the Roman Emperor Vespasian, who ruled from 69 to 79 C.E.
Vespasian was born in C.E. 9 to a humble beginning, but rose from the rank of tax collector to a powerful military commander and consul of Rome. Before becoming emperor, he conquered territory in modern Great Britain and put down the Jewish revolt in Judea. Following the death of Emperor Nero in 68 C.E., Vespasian fought a bloody civil war against several other would-be emperors. Vespasian has the crown by the time "Those About to Die" takes place, but his grip on it is shaky, as many of Rome's Patricians would love to usurp the throne for themselves (via Britannica).
Another character who figures to be a major factor in the plot is Titus, Vespasian's son who would succeed him as emperor–but again, the casting for Titus hasn't yet been announced.
Who is writing, directing, and producing Those About to Die?
As reported by Deadline, "Those About to Die" is being directed by Roland Emmerich, who will also be executive producing. Emmerich is a prolific director whose first directing credit dates back to 1979 (per IMDb). He's mostly known for big-budget action/disaster thrillers like "Independence Day" and "The Day After Tomorrow," but he's also directed period pieces like "Midway," "Stonewall," and even "10,000 BC"–the Ice Age counts as a period, right?
Robert Rodat will be writing and executive producing the series. He's most well-known for writing the screenplay for "Saving Private Ryan." He's also written "The Patriot" and provided the story for "Thor: The Dark World."
Rounding out the producer ranks are Gianni Nunnari of Hollywood Gang; Harald Kloser of Street Entertainment; Oliver Berben, Herbert G. Kloiber, Martin Moszkowicz and Jonas Bauer of High End Productions; and Stuart Ford and Lourdes Diaz of AGC Television.