Andy Whitfield

Sebelumnya Ithonx pernah mengulas tentang Spartacus yang kontroversial itu (lihat arsip atau ketik keyword di SILAHKAN CARI), ditulis juga disitu kalo Andy Whitfield terserang penyakit (kanker) yang mengharuskan dia berobat secara intensif. Kemudian kabar beredar kalo Andy sudah sembuh total dan bisa kembali ke layar gelas karena episode perdana musim kedua dijadwalkan tayang awal September.

Namun ternyata menurut tvfinale.com, Andy mengundurkan diri akibat penyakitnya itu. Starz TV tentu kelabakan dan akhirnya mengumumkan bahwa Spartacus musim kedua di tunda sampai batas waktu yang tidak ditentukan, dan pencarian bintang baru pun dimulai untuk menggantikan posisi Andy Whitfield. Ah, Sedih.

Sebagai pengisi slot jam tayang, akan dibuat prekuel-nya yang diberi judul SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA yang menceritakan kisah kebangkitan rumah batiatus sebelum era Spartacus. Tentu saja Lucy Lawless (si Xena) yang memerankan wanita culas istri pemilik batiatus, menjadi sorotan utama. Spoiller: karakter yang dimainkan Lucy (domina) diceritakan tewas di akhir musim pertama Spartacus.

Semoga Lucy Lawless masih punya daya jual tinggi seperti ketika di Xena The Warrior Princess. Atau paling tidak kita masih bisa melihat gladiator-gladiator laen seperti Crixus dan Barca.

Here is the excerpt of the bad news, guys:

The future of Starz’s Spartacus series is now in doubt. The show’s lead, Andy Whitfield, has withdrawn from filming the second season.

The first season, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, tells the story of the classic gladiator and stars newcomer Andy Whitfield as the title character. The show also stars Antonio Te Maioha, Craig Parker, Erin Cummings, Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Nick E. Tarabay, and Peter Mensah.

Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in March and, after treatment, was declared cancer-free in May. He was training hard to get back into filming and, at Comic-Con, Whitfield said he felt “better than ever.” He’s now been advised by his doctors to resume aggressive treatments immediately.

In a statement, Whitfield said, “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.”

Spartacus was renewed for a second season even before the first started airing. Shooting of the second season was postponed so Whitfield could undergo treatment. To fill the absence, Starz ordered a prequel called Spartacus: Gods of the Arena which focuses on co-stars Lawless and Hannah. It tells the tale of the rise of the House of Batiatus before Spartacus’ arrival in Capua.

Whitfield was supposed to return to shoot Spartacus next month. No decisions have yet been made about the future of the series thus far. “Right now, we just want to extend our concern and support to Andy and his family,” said Carmi Zlotnik,Managing Director of Starz Media. “We will address our programming plans at some later date.”

The second season of Spartacus was expected to air next September. On a positive note, the prequel is currently filming in New Zealand and will debut in January 2011 as planned.

What should Starz do? Suspend production of season two until Whitfield can hopefully return? Recast the role, do another prequel, or cancel the series altogether?

Cepet sembuh ya, Andy. We all want you back...!!!

Já faz bastante tempo que Andy Whitfield luta contra um câncer no sistema linfático, e em junho seus assessores até chegaram a divulgar que o tratamento estava encerrado e ele voltaria a trabalhar normalmente. Mas, infelizmente a doença voltou, e parece que mais grave que antes, o que confirma a ausência de Andy na segunda temporada de Spartacus, que estava programada para vir ao ar em setembro de 2011.

O canal Starz, que produz a série, chegou a pronunciar-se dizendo "Nesse momento, só queremos dar nosso apoio a Andy e sua família. Vamos anunciar nossos planos para a programação mais adiante".

Mas depois que Andy revelou que não retornará para a segunda temporada, para retomar os tratamentos contra seu câncer, os executivos do canal Starz buscam um novo rumo para a série.

Afirma-se que os produtores já procuram um novo ator para protagonizar a história. Este novo ator, teria o papel de substituir Andy, como Spartacus, ou entrando na trama como um novo personagem, ganhando destaque como protagonista, até que Andy Whitfield possa retornar.

Até que algo seja confirmado, o destino da série é vago, e pode ir, desde uma remodelagem, reinício, até o cancelamento.

Torçamos para que dê tudo certo para Andy Whitfield e sua família, que têm passado por essa enorme dificuldade em suas vidas. Mais do que fãs, somos seres humanos e entendemos a dimensão dessa situação.