Andy Whitfield Leaving Spartacus After Cancer Reemerges

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arbitration
arbitration Members Posts: 1,969 ✭✭✭
edited October 2010 in Lights, Camera, Action!
From Yahoo!:

Andy Whitfield has dropped out of Spartacus: Blood and Sand's second season to continue cancer treatment, Starz announced late Friday.

Whitfield, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in March, had been in remission until doctors recently advised him to resume aggressive treatment. Whitfield said at Comic-Con in July that he felt "better than ever" and was training hard to resume work on Season 2.

Spartacus star diagnosed with cancer; production halted

"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," Whitfield said in a statement. "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."

The epic drama halted production in March after Whitfield was initially diagnosed. The network then produced a six-part prequel to give Whitfield time to recover before starting work on Season 2. No immediate decisions have been made about the future of the series, but the prequel will still air in January 2011.

Spartacus six-part prequel to air on Starz in January

"Our hearts and prayers are with Andy and his family during this difficult time," Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement. "Andy is not only an incredible actor whose portrayal of Spartacus made an indelible impression on Starz audiences, he is also an amazing human being whose courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity have inspired all of us."

Comments

  • toheeb27
    toheeb27 Members Posts: 10,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2010
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    Saw this earlier today, sad news. Hopes he gets better soon. I dont see how the show goes on without him. They would have to go in a totally different direction now.
  • arbitration
    arbitration Members Posts: 1,969 ✭✭✭
    edited September 2010
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    Yea, they're gonna try to replace him, but that's gonna be tough. Just when Whitfield was gonna break out too. I really hope he gets healthy again, but that's tough.
  • toheeb27
    toheeb27 Members Posts: 10,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2010
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    PimpMVP wrote: »
    Huh???? They're going to replace him lol

    The show is called Spartacus therefore they need a Spartacus

    I would like to see a link where that was stated. U just dont replace the face of your Series like that. More than likely, the show is done. If the Prequel they have already made is a hit, thats the different direction that might be available to them.
  • Will Munny
    Will Munny Members Posts: 30,199 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2010
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    Who the ? is gonna replace spartacus? ? bradley cooper? Aint nobody gonna be able to replace spartacus.
  • rice n gravy
    rice n gravy Members Posts: 3,324 ✭✭✭
    edited September 2010
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    damn ! Sparatacus is STARZ #1 show so their probably gona replace him :(
  • traestar
    traestar Members Posts: 6,030 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2010
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    Yea, they're gonna try to replace him, but that's gonna be tough. Just when Whitfield was gonna break out too. I really hope he gets healthy again, but that's tough.

    Word up, but this was a successful series!! Keep it moving!!
  • wizv.2
    wizv.2 Members Posts: 450 ✭✭✭
    edited October 2010
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    Looks like Wentworth Miller will now take on the role as Spartacus. We'll see how that works out...