Anthony Hopkins To Star in Roland Emmerich’s Gladiator Drama THOSE ABOUT TO DIE

Anthony Hopkins has been cast in Roland Emmerich’s upcoming gladiator drama series Those About to Die, and he will be taking on a lead role. Hopkins will be taking on the role of Vespasian, the Emperor of Rome and head of the Flavian bloodline.

Vespasian is described as “battle tested, a rural upstart who claimed his throne after victory in a bloody ten-year civil war. He is aging and is despised by the Patricians jockeying for position in the Empire and looking to supplant his heirs to the throne the first chance they get.”

That sounds like a solid role for Hopkins to take on! I’m sure he’ll have some fun with it, and there’s no doubt he deliver an a great performance!

Those About To Die is “an epic drama set in the complex and corrupt world of spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition. The series introduces an ensemble of diverse characters from all parts of Roman society who collide at the intersection of sports, politics and dynasties of the ancient world.”

This actually sounds like it could be a great series, but Emmerich is heavily involved as a producer and director, so we’ll just have to wait and see if it actually turns out to be good or not. I hope it is! Emmerich isn’t really the best storyteller.

But, the series is being written by Saving Private Ryan scribe Robert Rodat, and it’s based on Daniel Mannix’s nonfiction book of the same name. So, Emmerich might have a solid script to work from. Production is expected to begin this year in Italy and the series will be coming to Peacock.