December 2009 Archives   31 December 2009 Rob Tapert Audio: Spartacus "Very Special Ride" “Betrayed by his country. Beaten into slavery. Reborn as a warrior.” That’s the tag-line for the upcoming STARZ series, SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND. At the recent press event for the series, producer ROB TAPERT was on hand to preview scenes and assure us that this series would be unlike anything we’ve seen on television. Influenced greatly by “300,” in the style of popular graphic novels and heavily infused with sex, SPARTACUS promises to be a far cry from the 1960 KIRK DOUGLAS version we grew up with. According to TAPERT, who was also behind TV’s HERCULES and XENA:WARRIOR PRINCESS, this show will have a special flavor all its own. Listen in below: Click here to listen to the audio     30 December 2009 MidSeason To Remember: BloodBath & Beyond Comcast Channel Guide Magazine has a three page article on Spartacus: Comcast Channel Guide A MidSeason To Remember: BloodBath & Beyond Starz Takes A Stab At Spartacus It features quotes from Andy and Lucy about their characters.   Contributed / Scanned by Karen Click here to read     30 December 2009 Lucy Lawless: Trying To Keep It Real There is a tiny bit of Lucy audio here on Hollywood Breakout site. I can't remember if this was posted around the time of the Spartacus TCA & Comic Con PR tour Lucy Lawless, Trying to Keep It Real LUCY LAWLASS, TV’s ever popular XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS, is returning to the small screen in a big way. She’ll be seen as the diabolical Lucretia in the upcoming STARZ NETWORK series SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND. At the recent press conference for the show, LAWLESS talked about her character and how she doesn’t see her in quite the same light that others might. (Click on the media bar below for audio):     30 December 2009 New Spartacus Artwork by Klippart   Added new artwork by Klippart of Spartacus! Gorgeous. Click here to view   More Klippart's artwork:     29 December 2009 New Spartacus Artist + More Great Artwork! I'm very pleased to announce the addition of Calli to the Spartacus Art Gallery. For those not in the Xenaverse, Calli is a brilliant artist who has created some gorgeous artwork related to Xena Warrior Princess, Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor. Calli's Creations is hosted on AUSXIP. Check it out - gorgeous artwork. Check out her new Spartacus poster! Click here to view   New Artwork from Mesh Mesh continues the great series of artwork by focusing on Lucretia and of course Lucy Lawless! Check out Mesh's new wallpapers     28 December 2009 Channel Guide Interviews Andy Whitifield Channel Guide Magazine has a great interview with Andy which has just been posted: "An Appropriate Level Of Pain" "Spartacus" Star Andy Whitfield Talks About Getting Into Gladiator Shape After testing the waters of original programming with Head Case, Crash and Party Down, Starz makes its biggest splash yet with an extreme action epic that turns an ancient tale into a bacchanal of guts, glory and a generous helping of flesh. Spartacus: Blood and Sand (Fridays beginning Jan. 22) -- in addition to taking full advantage of the freedom that comes with airing on a premium channel -- marries the graphic-novel visuals of 300 to the dramatics of Gladiator, and in the process promises to make a star out of Aussie newcomer Andy Whitfield. Writer/executive producer Steven S. DeKnight says Whitfield fit the bill both as a new face and as an example of rugged masculinity. "When Andy came in, he looked like everything I imagined [Spartacus] should look like," DeKnight says. "I remember the first day on the set, when he showed up with the hair and the Thracian uniform, it was like, 'My God, this guy is just perfect.' His acting is fantastic, and there's a warmth to him that really comes out, but there's also a hardness that he can play. ... We needed a man to play this part." Whitfield says he hasn't had much time to ponder his sudden rise from TV roles Down Under to the lead in a major Hollywood series. Much like his character, he's just been trying to survive. He took some time to talk with us about his sudden rise in profile, as well as the mental adjustment that needed to accompany learning how to fight like a gladiator. Read Full Interview News submitted by Barbara Davies     28 December 2009 Spartacus Art - New Artist + More Artwork I'm very pleased to welcome Sally Nabil to the Spartacus Artwork section. Sally has created three new pieces that have been added to the gallery:           Click here to view gallery New Artwork by KatXena Added new artwork by KatXena of Crixus and Lucretia. Click here to view     27 December 2009 New Lucretia & Sura Artwork - Spartacus Artwork   Klippart has sent in another fantastic piece of artwork based on the character of Lucretia Click here to view gallery     I created another character piece and this time it's Sura, wife of Spartacus Click here to view gallery     26 December 2009 Spartacus Art - Doctore by MaryD Added Doctore to the Spartacus wallpaper themes. Doctore: Having been raised at the Ludus, he is Batiatus’ most loyal and trusted slave. Once a highly celebrated gladiator and the only person to survive the Shadow of Death, Doctore now teaches others to fight. He is a hard man who spares no excess emotion. His only concern is for the welfare of those he trains. He dislikes Spartacus because he believes him to be a danger to those around him. Click here to view     24 December 2009 Spartacus Art - New Artist + More Artwork I'm very pleased to welcome KatXena to the AUSXIP Spartacus Artwork section.   Click here to view her artwork     New Artwork by MaryD     Click here to view my new artwork     New Artwork by Mesh Click here to view her artwork     The new AUSXIP Spartacus Artwork section is now open for submissions. After the show premieres and you would like to create some artwork based on the show or the current promo images which are now online, you can submit it to maryd@ausxip.com Any images on AUSXIP Spartacus Blood and Sand can used in your artwork and that includes upcoming episode stills, screencaptures, promo images etc. Since the show contains nudity and this site is general access, artwork containing full frontal nudity for the women and men / breasts for the women will not be accepted. Submission doesn't guarantee your artwork will be accepted. This rule strictly needs to be followed. Type: The artwork can be hand-drawn art or graphical manipulation Resolution: any resolution you wish but the higher resolution is better Based on the same rules that are in place for the AUSXIP Xenaverse Art Section. Artwork submitted here: maryd@ausxip.com     24 December 2009 UGO - Meet The Gladiators Video Exclusive - Spartacus: Blood and Sand Behind The Scenes Clip Yesterday we showed you some sexy new promo images for Starz upcoming series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. I say "sexy" because bloody sand is sexy when it looks like this! Today, to futher whet your appetite for gladiatorial carnage, we've got an exclusive behind the scenes clip featuring interviews with the cast. You might think of Spartacus as a blood-thirsty slave warrior hell bent on revenge but according to the man who plays the legendary warrior, Andy Whitfield, he's "just a regular guy." Hey, we all have our issues. Find out more about what it takes to swing a sword and shield in the world of Spartacus in the clip below and make the jump for the latest Spartacus: Blood and Sand trailer! Source     24 December 2009 Gladiator Lives To Fight Again - Herald Sun LITTLE-known Aussie actor Andy Whitfield has had Christmas come early with news that Spartacus: Blood and Sand has been picked up for a second series. The first series is yet to be aired in the US; however, pay TV network Starz is so confident it will attract viewers that it green-lighted the new season. The 13-episode second series will be called Spartacus: Vengeance and will be filmed in New Zealand. Whitfield was a virtual unknown when he landed the lead role in the gladiator series this year. He had appeared in small roles on Home and Away, All Saints, McLeod’s Daughters, The Strip, and Packed to the Rafters. Spartacus also stars Lucy Lawless, John Hannah and Peter Mensah. Source: Herald Sun 24/12/09     23 December 2009 New Spartacus Artwork + New Artist Added Added new artist Carpe Chakram to the AUSXIP Spartacus Artwork Section. Check out her work The new AUSXIP Spartacus Artwork section is now open for submissions. After the show premieres and you would like to create some artwork based on the show or the current promo images which are now online, you can submit it to maryd@ausxip.com Any images on AUSXIP Spartacus Blood and Sand can used in your artwork and that includes upcoming episode stills, screencaptures, promo images etc. Since the show contains nudity and this site is general access, artwork containing full frontal nudity for the women and men / breasts for the women will not be accepted. Submission doesn't guarantee your artwork will be accepted. This rule strictly needs to be followed. Type: The artwork can be hand-drawn art or graphical manipulation Resolution: any resolution you wish but the higher resolution is better Based on the same rules that are in place for the AUSXIP Xenaverse Art Section. Artwork submitted here: maryd@ausxip.com     23 December 2009 MensHealth Spartacus Workout Video Spartacus Workout This cutting-edge circuit routine will strip away fat and define every muscle in your body. By Adam Campbell and Rachel Cosgrove, C.S.C.S. To create the Spartacus workout, we chose 10 exercises that collectively work every part of your body, and then placed each at a 60-second station, in order to challenge your heart and lungs as well as your muscles. The final product: A high-intensity circuit that’s designed to burn away fat, define your chest, abs, and arms, and send your fitness levels soaring. So you’ll sculpt a lean, athletic-looking body—while getting in the best shape of your life. Directions Do The Spartacus Workout 3 days a week. You can either use the routine as your primary weight workout, or if you’re already in great shape, you can use it as a “cardio” workout on the days between your regular weight workouts. For more weight workouts that you can pair with The Spartacus Workout, check out The Men’s Health Big Book of Exercises. Perform the Spartacus Workout as a circuit, doing one set of each exercise—or “station” in succession. Each station in the circuit lasts for 60 seconds. Do as many reps as you can in that duration (with perfect form), then move on to the next station in the circuit. Give yourself 15 seconds to transition between stations, and rest for 2 minutes after you’ve done one circuit of all 10 exercises. Then repeat 2 times. If you can’t go for the entire minute on an exercise, go as long as you can, rest for a few seconds, then go again until your time at that station is up. This will allow you to customize the workout to your current fitness level. Also, if using weights makes some exercises too difficult, simply perform the same movement without holding the dumbbells. Read More     23 December 2009 Official Spartacus Marketing Photo Set Starz have posted on their Facebook page a Photo set which is marked as Spartacus's Photos - Spartacus: Blood and Sand Marketing Set.                 Click here to view larger images     22 December 2009 Official Spartacus Merchandise Now Available Starz has authorised GoldLabel to sell Official Spartacus Merchandise and the following designs appear on quite a few items including t-shirts, bags, water bottles etc. Check them out here                     News submitted by Barbara Davies     22 December 2009 New Spartacus Trailer - "Vengeance" Spartacus: Blood and Sand "Vengeance" Trailer. Betrayed by the Romans. Forced into slavery. Reborn as a Gladiator. The classic tale of the Republics most infamous rebel comes alive in the graphic and visceral new series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Premiering January 22, 2010 on Starz http://www.starz.com/spartacus     22 December 2009 Spartacus Renewed For Season 2 - Press Release Hot off the presses. Just received the following from Starz PR - here is the official word on Sparty getting a Season 2! News Release Issued: December 21, 2009 2:17 PM EST Starz Returns to the Arena With More 'Spartacus' Second Season of Highly Anticipated Action Adventure Series Gets Green Light Prior To January 22 Premiere BURBANK, Calif., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- In a bold vote of confidence, Starz executives announced plans today to order a second season of the ground-breaking new original series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," set to premiere Friday, January 22nd at 10 pm ET/PT. The unusual timing of the renewal, more than one month prior to the debut of the highly anticipated program, gives returning executive producers Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi, Joshua Donen and Steven S. DeKnight (who is also the head writer on the show) the green light to start production in New Zealand on 13 new episodes in the first quarter of 2010. "We couldn't be happier with the first season. Spartacus delivers on all levels - action, characters, intrigue, romance and excitement," said Starz Entertainment EVP, Programming, Stephan Shelanski. "Spartacus is the most ambitious original project we've ever undertaken, and speaks to the commitment to our subscribers to provide truly original programming along with our unmatched lineup of theatrical features." "Steven S. DeKnight and his team of writers have created a rich narrative that lays the groundwork for more great stories," added Executive Producer Rob Tapert. "The slave rebellion led by Spartacus and the oh-so-current political intrigue and personal dynamics laid out in the first season provide rich source material for the second season and beyond." The title of the second season is expected to be "Spartacus: Vengeance," but other details are being kept under wraps, so as not to spoil any of the sure-to-shock plot twists the first season promises to deliver. Nearly 4 million moviegoers saw the new "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" trailer in theaters over the weekend and it is expected to hit wide online today. Continue reading Spartacus Renewed For Season 2 - Press Release.     22 December 2009 Canadians Not To Get Sneak Preview The following note was posted on the Canadian newswire service about The Movie Network's press release on Spartacus being shown on Canadian TV. Read Press Release MEDIA NOTE: There will not be an online and/or on-demand sneak preview as was previously announced - Rome's legendary gladiator comes alive in Spartacus: Blood and Sand, a new Starz original series premiering on The Movie Network and Movie Central - The graphic and visceral series premieres Monday, January 25, 2010 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT - Episode one will be available to non-subscribers at www.themovienetwork.ca and www.moviecentral.ca on Tuesday, January 26 Read Press Release     21 December 2009 Spartacus Episodes Directed by Michael Hurst The following was posted on Michael's official site: Michael directed episodes 1.5, 1.9, and 1.12, and the splinter unit of episode 1.13, of new American tv show Spartacus: Blood and Sand for Starz Productions. Michael's first episode should be shown in March. Click here to view AUSXIP Spartacus Episode Guide     19 December 2009 Spartacus Documentary "The Women Of Spartacus" The Women of Spartacus will be show on Starz which has been added to their schedule and pages:     The Women of Spartacus - Starring: Lucy Lawless, Erin Cummings, Viva Bianca Genre: Documentary Episode #5 Meet the powerful, sexy women of 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' - the groundbreaking new series from Starz. USA - 2010 - TV14 Other Documentary pages Starz have updated: Spartacus: Blood and Sand Extras In Production Now Spartacus: Blood and Sand Extras Trailer Spartacus: Blood and Sand Extras Gladiator Camp Spartacus: Blood and Sand Extras Character Long Form Spartacus: Blood and Sand Extras The Women of Spartacus Spartacus: Blood and Sand Extras The Gladiators News submitted by Barbara Davies     19 December 2009 Spartacus Invitation To View Premiere Episode Starz has posted the following on Facebook Tune in for the premiere of Spartacus: Blood and Sand on Starz. Ep 101 'The Red Serpent' - A Thracian warrior, enlisted by the Romans to fight, has his destiny seized by an act of rebellious violence. As punishment, he faces death by being forced to battle in the gladiatorial arena. January 22nd, 10:00pm et/pt. http://www.starz.com/spartacus     19 December 2009 Spartacus Billboard in Los Angeles Spartacus Billboard in LA featuring Spartacus, Lucretia, Batiatus and Doctore! RT @Scorpio_Sky: Spotted in Los Angeles #Spartacus billboard! #lucylawless @spartacus_starz http://twitpic.com/u2ca7 Click here to view the larger version on Twitter     18 December 2009 Lawless Promises `A Truckload Of Blood' From NZ Wellington, Dec 18 NZPA - New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless says there's a "truckload of blood," in her new cable television series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, being filmed at Auckland. ""Life was very cheap then," she said of the Roman era in which the sword-and-sandals series was set. Lawless told the Jacksonville Observer the series was set in hard times: "You're looking for the triumph of the human spirit in a sea of degradation." The former Xena: Warrior Princess star is working long hours on the series created by her husband, former Xena producer Rob Tapert. The show, to debut on the Starz channel in the USA next month, has Tapert, Sam Raimi and Josh Donen as executive producers. The show stars Australian actor Andy Whitfield as the gladiator Spartacus, and Lawless as Lucretia, whose husband (John Hannah) owns a gladiator camp. That's very handy for Lucretia, who is sexually voracious and fancies gladiators. Asked how it was to shoot steamy sex scenes with her husband wandering around nearby, Lawless said: "He doesn't wander around on those days. He's not interested in being part of that equation on set. He's in the office working - on visual effects or editing or whatever. It's not emotional, you know, these scenes. Everybody is very professional and just wants to get the job done." When she's done for the day, she heads home to Julius, 10, and Judah, 7, her sons with Tapert. "My kids are of an age where they've had a lot of one-on-one with mum time. Now they've got their own social lives," she said. "They know I'm coming back. They can do without me for 12 hours. "While it wasn't part of my plan to leave America -- I was having a great life with all my wonderful friends -- it's good for the family," Lawless said.     18 December 2009 Official Starz Lucy Q&A Update On the 13 December, Starz announced that Lucy would be answering questions submitted by fans and the best 10 questions will be submitted to Lucy. Starz has updated this info with the following news: Spartacus Reminder: Deadline to submit questions for the Lucy Lawless Q&A ends at 5pm MST today. If you see a question already posted you like or dislike, sign-in and rate the post. Thanks! http://community.starz.com/starz/board/message?board.id=spartacus&thread.id=117     18 December 2009 New Lucretia Artwork by Klippart We welcome Klippart to the new AUSXIP Spartacus Artwork section with two gorgeous wallpapers of the mighty Lucretia! Click here to view     17 December 2009 New Official Starz Spartacus Wallpapers - GORGEOUS! Starz has released some FANTASTIC wallpapers! Check these out and they are all available in sizes ranging from 1920 x 1200 and 1920 x 1400. Click here to download                         17 December 2009 Spartacus Artwork Section Open For Submissions The new AUSXIP Spartacus Artwork section is now open for submissions. After the show premieres and you would like to create some artwork based on the show or the current promo images which are now online, you can submit it to maryd@ausxip.com Any images on AUSXIP Spartacus Blood and Sand can used in your artwork and that includes upcoming episode stills, screencaptures, promo images etc. Since the show contains nudity and this site is general access, artwork containing full frontal nudity for the women and men / breasts for the women will not be accepted. Submission doesn't guarantee your artwork will be accepted. This rule strictly needs to be followed. Type: The artwork can be hand-drawn art or graphical manipulation Resolution: any resolution you wish but the higher resolution is better Based on the same rules that are in place for the AUSXIP Xenaverse Art Section. Artwork submitted here: maryd@ausxip.com     17 December 2009 Canadians Get Sneak Preview of Spartacus 12 January 2010 Rome's legendary gladiator comes alive in Spartacus: Blood and Sand, a new Starz original series premiering on The Movie Network and Movie Central - The graphic and visceral series premieres Monday, January 25, 2010 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT - Sneak preview begins Tuesday, January 12, 2010 online and on demand TORONTO, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - The brutal, primitive and electrifying world of gladiators bolts to life on Astral Media's The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) and Corus Entertainment's Movie Central (Western Canada) with the debut of the new Starz action-adventure original drama series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, premiering Monday, January 25, 2010 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. Weaving together stories rich in character, action, sex and combat, the series uses a unique graphic look and style and a fresh narrative approach to tell the ancient story of the Roman Republic's most famous rebel. Andy Whitfield stars as the legendary gladiator warrior Spartacus, a soldier in the Roman Auxiliary who is torn from his homeland and the woman he loves and taken prisoner after defying a Roman Legate. Condemned to the gory brutality of the gladiator arena where blood and death are primetime entertainment, Spartacus' sentence is commuted after he survives numerous fights and he's sold as a slave to a wealthy couple who hope to regain their status in the viscous world of gladiatorial contests. The series also stars Lucy Lawless and John Hannah as Lucretia and Batiatus, the scheming couple who own Spartacus and a gladiator camp, Ludus; Erin Cummings as Spartacus' Thracian wife Sura; Peter Mensah as Doctore, Batiatus' most loyal and trusted slave; Manu Bennett as Crixus, the top gladiator at Ludus; Antonio Te Maioha as Barca, Batiatus' bodyguard and hit man; Craig Parker as Glaber, a Roman Legate who blames Spartacus for his failed military campaign; and Nick E. Tarabay as Ashur, a former gladiator who is now the Ludus' resident bookie. Spartacus: Blood and Sand is inspired by the actual slave of the Roman Republic who in 73 BC led a slave revolt that grew to more than 120,000 fighters. Defying the Roman Republic's legion of soldiers, they campaigned for two years through much of what is now Italy before succumbing to a much larger army. The series is executive produced by Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi, Joshua Donen and Steven S. DeKnight. Continue reading Canadians Get Sneak Preview of Spartacus 12 January 2010.     16 December 2009 Spartacus Magazine Promos - TV Guide & Emmy Magazine The PR has started for the January premiere and today's scans are from the US TV Guide Dec 21 - Jan 3 issue (many thanks to JulieH for the scan) and The Emmy Magazine Issue 6, 2009. Click here to view     16 December 2009 Spartacus Article & Promo Pics Emmy Magazine Emmy Magazine Issue 6, 2009 has a spectacular 10 page article on Spartacus Blood and Sand. Fantastic article with some very interesting info in it. Included in the promo pics is the elusive Lucretia and Batiatus couple shot that we've seen a small version of. This version takes the whole page :) It's available to buy online at Zinio.com. Emmy Magazine Issue 6, 2009 Price $5.00 USD http://www.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=416109427&o=int&prev=si&p=62 starting page 55 and it also has a spectacular promo advert for the show near the front of the magazine. The cover is The Simpsons     15 December 2009 Win A Role on Spartacus! The Men's Health Magazine January issue has an article about The Spartacus Workout. Comp is only open to men (and I'm going to assume it's only US based men). The Spartacus Workout: This cutting-edge routine can strip away fat and define every muscle in your body. Bonus: You can win a role on Spartacus: Blood and Sand, a Starz original series. Click here to learn more     14 December 2009 Official Spartacus Press Pages The Official Spartacus Press page has been updated with rotating images and character info and episode stills. If you click on the character name you get the bio and episode stills of the character. Click on the thumbnails to view the larger image                Click here to view the Press page Click here for more about Spartacus, Lucretia, Doctore and Batatius Click here to view Official Spartacus Episode Stills for Episodes 1 - 5 News submitted by Barbara Davies     14 December 2009 AUSXIP Interviews Erin Cummings AUSXIP Interviews Erin Cummings - December 2009 Erin Cummings, the star of the movie Bitch Slap and the upcoming Starz series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand", took time out of her busy schedule to talk to AUSXIP reporter Lori Boyles. Erin talks about working on Bitch Slap in front of the camera and behind the camera, how working with Zoe Bell on Bitch Slap helped her with her role on Spartacus, working with her co-stars and what's in store for this very talented actress. » Read the Interview     13 December 2009 Official Starz Episode Stills For Episodes 1-5 Starz has officially released HQ episode stills for the first 5 episodes and they have been posted to the Episode Stills Gallery - If you wish to remain spoiler free..don't look!   Episode 1 - The Red Serpent 6 Images     Episode 2 - Sacramentum Gladiatorum 15 Images       Episode 3 - Legends 13 Images     Episode 4 - The Thing in the Pit 12 Images   Episode 5 - TBA 14 Images     13 December 2009 Spartacus in Canada 25 Jan 2010 + Photos For Canadians, Spartacus to air 25 January 2010 on The Movie Network There is a higher resolution photo of Spartacus on the main page (click on the thumbnail for the larger scan)   Click here to view site The episode pages have the following episode stills         Click here to view site     13 December 2009 Q&A With Lucy - Ask Your Questions The following was posted on The Official Spartacus Facebook page: Lucy Lawless has agreed to answer 10 questions in an exclusive interview for Spartacus fans. Please post your questions on the Spartacus message board. We will choose the 10 best for Lucy to answer. Deadline to submit questions is Thursday 12/17 5pm MST. Click here to ask your question!     12 December 2009 Play The Spartacus Photo Game The Official Spartacus site has an online game you can play. For those wanting to remain spoiler free, there are episode images involved. Play The Spartacus Photo Game. News submitted by Barbara Davies     12 December 2009 Official Spartacus Episode Pages Episode 3-6 - Pic Spoilers For those keeping spoiler free (including not seeing pictures which is going to be mega difficult), don't read further. For those not keeping spoiler free the episode names / pages have been added to the Official Spartacus site. Episode 1.03 - Legends Episode 1.04 - The Thing In The Pit Episode 1.05 - TBA   Episode 1.06 - Delicate Things Episode 1.07 - Great And Unfortunate Things No image yet Click here to view AUSXIP Spartacus Episode Guide News submitted by Barbara Davies     11 December 2009 New Wallpaper - Lucretia Created this wallpaper inspired by the new promo pictures that have been posted to the Character Promo Pages - I'm hoping to create a few for each character. Character: Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) Batiatus’ equal in every way, she sees every angle and manages situations with a steel grip inside a kid glove. Sexually passionate and longing for a child, she takes Crixus for her lover. She sees Spartacus as a wild animal who cost too much and will bring misfortune upon the Ludus.     11 December 2009 Spartacus Review - Minor Spoilers I found the following review very interesting (the tone of the review). Men and women will see this show so differently. Case in point in the following review written by a young man who loved the fighting and the sexual activity. Whilst reviewing episode 1 and episode 2, I was instantly attracted to the idea of the story line for Spartacus and what he must do to re-unite with his wife (have to admit the sight of muscled, good looking men did make an impact on me). I had feared (when I first heard about the show) it would be a testosterone fueled killing spree for 45 minutes. It's not and that's the great part about this show. It does have it's testosterone fueled moments but it also has a plot, great acting, great directing and somewhere to go other than the killing. Film Monthly Review Many movie channels have successful series. HBO has Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Showtime has Dexter and Californication. Starz can only offer up Crash as way of competition. In an effort to compete more with the big dogs, they have released a new series to air in January, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Just hearing mention of this show, I instantly expected war, possibly similar to 300. I was wrong! Spartacus (Andy Whitfield) was a great, yet troubled gladiator in Ancient Rome. A Thoracian, was caught by war-heroes of Rome, thrown in the Coliseum, and given our equivalent of the death penalty – four killing machines against Spartacus. He comes out victorious, the only one left living. He was bought, then trained as a gladiator. Spartacus covers his troubles and his families. Read More News submitted by Barbara Davies     10 December 2009 New Wallpaper - Spartacus Created this wallpaper inspired by the new promo pictures that have been posted to the Character Promo Pages - I'm hoping to create a few for each character.     6 December 2009 AUSXIP Interviews Lesley-Ann Brandt (Naevia) Recently I met up with Lesley-Ann Brandt (Naevia) from Spartacus Blood and Sand and took the opportunity to ask her about her role on Spartacus. In addition to chatting about the role of Naevia, Lucretia's body slave, on Spartacus, Lesley-Ann reveals what she finds interesting about New Zealand and how it compares to her former homeland South Africa, her reasons on why she chose to be an actress, a hidden talent or two and Naevia's love for gladiator Crixus and what's next for her after Spartacus Blood and Sand.    Click here to read the interview and view images of Lesley-Ann     5 December 2009 Official Starz Character Promo Images Now Online Starz has officially released promo character images for all the main characters on Spartacus Blood and Sand. These are now up on the Character Gallery on AUSXIP Spartacus Blood and Sand - check them out! Enjoy!           01 Spartacus 02 Lucretia 02a Lucretia and Batatius 03 Sura 04 Batatius 05 Doctore 06 Ilithya 06a Ilithya and Glaber 07 Glaber 08 Crixus 09 Varro 10 Asher 11 Barca 12 Naevia 13 Senator Albinius     5 December 2009 Official Spartacus Sweepstakes + Promo Pics Official Spartacus competition open to Starz affiliates - Rome is Calling Sweepstakes CALL CENTER EMPLOYEES, ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A TRIP TO ROME, ITALY You and a guest could experience the beauty of Rome. Simply enter the Rome is Calling Sweepstakes. Read Rules | Entry Form GRAND PRIZE: Includes round-trip air travel, 7 days/6 nights first class hotel accommodations, 48 hour pass for Hop On/Hop Off double-decker bus tour, $1,000 spending money and tax assistance funding. 300 FIRST PRIZES: Spartacus Gift Packs Enter once every day during the sweepstakes to increase your chance of winning. Betrayed by the Romans. Forced into slavery. Reborn as a Gladiator. The classic tale of the Republic's most infamous rebel comes alive in the graphic and visceral new series, "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." Torn from his homeland and the woman he loves, Spartacus is condemned to the brutal world of the arena where blood and death are primetime entertainment. But not all battles are fought upon the sands. Treachery, corruption, and the allure of sensual pleasures will constantly test Spartacus. To survive, he must become more than a man. More than a gladiator. He must become a legend. News submitted by Barbara Davies     4 December 2009 New Spartacus Promo Images on Official Site The official Spartacus site has the following rotating images which have just been added. Featuring Lucy Lawless (Lucretia), John Hannah (Batatius), Andy Whitfield (Spartacus) and Peter Mensah (Doctore) Click here for view     2 December 2009 Rob Interview Spartacus Mention - The West Australian The film industry in Auckland must breathe a huge sigh of relief every time US producer Rob Tapert arrives in town. His close links to the NZ city began in the 1990s with the making of the Hercules series and Xena: Warrior Princess and now he is back living there, having just finished making a new swords-and-sandals series, Spartacus, and with a second series of Legend of the Seeker underway. And with long-time partner Sam Raimi he has shot a "bunch of horror movies" there over the years. The first series of Legend of the Seeker has just begun on Fox8. It is based on Terry Goodkind's The Sword of Truth novels and stars Australian actors Craig Horner (Blue Water High), Jessica Marais (Packed to the Rafters) and Bruce Spence (The Matrix Revolutions), along with Jay Laga'aia (Water Rats, Xena), who grew up in Auckland. When we speak, Tapert is in Sydney on holiday with his wife Lucy Lawless, who starred in Xena and is also in Spartacus. Read Full Interview     2 December 2009 Peter Interviewed By Daily Actor 01 Dec 09 Peter was interviewed whilst at the 2009 Comic Con and the Daily Actor site has now posted the interview. You've seen Peter Mensah in tons of things but most notably 300, Hulk and Hildago. He's usually the menacing or authoratative guy who gets in the way of the main character but in real life, he couldn't be nicer. Maybe I shouldnt say that... I don't want to ruin his authoritative cred! Peter is starring in two great upcoming projects, James Cameron's Avatar and Spartacus: Blood and Sand. In my exclusive interview I did at this summers Comic-Con, we talk about his Spartacus character (Doctore), working with green screens and he even offers up some advice to actors. Tell me about your character. I get to play a character called Doctore on Spartacus, and Doctore is the gladiator trainer.  And it's his job fundamentally to bring up the up and coming new gladiators and also to prepare sort of the well-schooled gladiators for each and every fight.  And you know what's fascinating about doing this is you sort of get to see how Roman society worked way back when, I think 73 B.C.  And the fact that these stadiums could house 80,000 people, would come in and watch these fights.  Physically.  They didn't have pay-per-view.  They had to show up. Read the full interview     Read More Archives