It's pretty much 'Gladiator' - the TV show
Prime Video has released the official trailer for the historical drama series 'Those About To Die', starring Anthony Hopkins and directed by Roland Emmerich ('Moonfall', 'Independence Day', 'Godzilla').
Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins plays Emperor Vespasian alongside Iwan Rheon ('Game of Thrones'), Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson ('Game of Thrones'), Jojo Macari ('Sex Education') and Moe Hasmim ('Ted Lasso').
Created by Academy Award-nominated writer Robert Rodat ('The Patriot', 'Saving Private Ryan'), and inspired by the nonfiction book of the same name by Daniel P. Mannix, the series will immerse viewers into the spectacular, complex, and corrupt world of chariot racing and gladiatorial fights in ancient Rome.
The official logline reads: "Rome in 79 A.D.: The centre of the Roman Empire is the wealthiest city in the world, and there is a heavy influx of slave labourers from the growing empire to take over the work. The Roman population—bored, restless, and increasingly violent—is kept in line mainly by two things: free food and spectacular entertainment, in the form of chariot racing and gladiator fights.
"'Those About to Die' delves into the world of the games - a world characterized by bloodlust, greed for money, the pursuit of power, and corruption. The races at Circus Maximus are controlled by four Patrician-owned corporations, the Blue, Red, White, and Green factions, and shares in the four factions are the most valuable things in Rome.
"As the taste in entertainment of the populace becomes more jaded and bloodthirsty, a specially designed stadium for gladiatorial combat is needed - the Colosseum. The scale of the stadium as well as the gladiatorial and animal combats is enormous – same as the underworld with the flourishing betting business. Underground, beneath the stands, thousands of people work and live - among them thousands who will die for the games."
Watch the trailer below:
'Those About To Die' launches on 19th July on Prime Video.