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I don’t know about you guys, but I never get enough of historical fiction dramas and epic action series and films. Not only do they present us with specific depictions and reimaginings of key moments throughout history, but they also introduce us to the fascinating people—real and imagined—who endured such brutal times. As of late, we’ve seen a heavy focus on a couple of my favorite historical topics, Ancient Rome and gladiators. No film or series has better focused on and depicted gladiatorial life like Starz hit franchise Spartacus, which is set to return later this year with a new installment. Here’s a peek at how Spartacus: House of Ashur is reimagining the franchise’s story.

We first met Ashur in the series premiere, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. He was not a popular character. As a gladiator-turned-assassin for the House of Batiatus, he was villainous and resentful,...

Dan Feuerriegel revels in playing the ruthless and scheming Ej on Days of Our Lives. Soap fans may be surprised to learn that he also played Agron, Spartacus’s right-hand man, in the racy TV show of the same name. Feuerriegel was recently on a podcast where he talked about his career and a major health issue he had in his younger days.

He Had a Low Heart Rate

What’s Your Limp is a podcast that “Wants to help our listeners learn that they aren’t alone in their struggles. Not only that, but we want to help give them tools and healthy coping mechanisms to better deal with whatever it is they might be going through,” according to its website. Its host, Jordan Ross, posted a clip from his recent interview with Feuerriegel on Instagram.

Read This: Take a crash course on all things Ej.

He captioned it,...

Valentino is one of Europe’s most recognizable fashion brands. The brand is among the last great fashion houses created in Hollywood’s golden era. Valentino would come to unite Hollywood stars, political icons, and European royalty under one label.

Valentino S.p.A. is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1960 by Valentino Garavani

Valentino defines the idea of ‘jet-set chic.’ The Italian fashion house used to have a diffusion line called R.E.D. Valentino, but it has been discontinued. Valentino Garavani, however, is not a diffusion line—it is the accessories division of Valentino, encompassing luxury shoes, handbags, and other accessories. It remains an active and integral part of the brand.

Spotlight on Style: Celebrities Who Shine in Valentino

Valentino’s exquisite designs have long been a celebrity favorite, with their timeless elegance, gracing red carpets and high-profile events. Here are some notable moments where stars showcased...

We live in an era of streaming services with enough content to satisfy viewers for at least five lifetimes. Unfortunately, the content is spread across different platforms, each requiring monthly fees that can add up to hundreds of dollars if you're not careful.

(In Morpheus's voice) What if we told you there was a free way to watch many of your favorite movies? Well, there is. YouTube comes chock full of blockbuster movies, all available for the same price as a smile. That's right, gratis. Gratuit. Grátis. Kostenlos. In short, free.

Of course, the caveat is you might feel overwhelmed with over 200 films to choose from. Luckily, we've assembled a stellar list of the 15 best movies you can watch on YouTube for free, which should help pare down your Friday night options or, at the very least, help steer you down the right course.

Read more: Here's Why Movie Dialogue...

More than a decade after Spartacus went off the air, a spinoff series entitled Spartacus: House of Ashur has been announced to take viewers back to ancient Rome once again. Beginning with its first season in 2010, Spartacus concerns the real-life eponymous figure who was a gladiator who led a successful slave uprising between the years 73 and 71 Bce. With an eye toward action and history, Spartacus stretched out across three exciting seasons on Starz before finally being canceled in 2013.

Arriving on the small screen around the same time as contemporaries like Game of Thrones, Spartacus had plenty of swashbuckling action but supplemented it with historical intrigue. Though Spartacus wasn't always historically accurate it struck a fine balance between total fabrication and the true story from ancient history. Demand has always been high for a return to the universe of Spartacus, and now a spinoff will present a "what if" scenario. Details...

Joan Plowright, the distinguished actress of the post-war British stage whose considerable skill as a performer was at times eclipsed by her fame as the third and last wife of Laurence Olivier, has died. She was 95.

Plowright died on Jan. 16 surrounded by family in her native U.K. A statement from the family released on Friday to the BBC said: “It is with great sadness that the family of Dame Joan Plowright, the Lady Olivier, inform you that she passed away peacefully on January 16 2025 surrounded by her family at Denville Hall aged 95.”

It added: “She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire. She cherished her last 10 years in Sussex with constant visits from friends and family, filled with much laughter and fond memories. The family are deeply grateful to Jean Wilson and all those involved in her personal care over many years.

The first-look teaser for “Outlander” prequel series “Blood of My Blood” brings fans back in time. Exactly one-generation more back in time than “Outlander.”

Starz debuted the “Outlander: Blood of My Blood” teaser on Thursday, January 16, 2025 — one day ahead of “Outlander’s” Season 7 finale. “Outlander: Blood of My Blood” will debut on Starz this summer — we do not yet have a specific date.

“Blood of My Blood” will follow the respective romances of Jamie Fraser’s parents and Claire Beauchamp(-turned-Fraser’s) parents. What’s that saying about kids learning how to love by watching their parents?

Other fan-familiar characters include Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser and Mrs. Fitz. There are also Ellen’s siblings — Colum MacKenzie (Séamus McLean Ross), Dougal MacKenzie (Sam Retford), and Jocasta Cameron (Sadhbh Malin) — as well as House Mackenzie’s legal advisor, Ned Gowan (Conor MacNeill) and Brian’s father, Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat.

“From the...

Liam McIntyre is best known for stepping into the shoes of the iconic gladiator Spartacus after the tragic passing of Andy Whitfield. His role in the hit Starz series Spartacus turned his career around and made him into a household name, showcasing his raw talent and dedication to the entire world.

McIntyre shared some insights into his early career. | Image Credit: Starz

As he explained in an interview, his journey to fame was not an easy one. Long before stepping into the bloody sandals of the iconic gladiator, McIntyre was on the other side of the counter, selling games. However, his love and passion for gaming eventually led him to a unique opportunity in the video game industry.

Liam McIntyre’s early struggles and passion for video games McIntyre explained his passion for gaming. | Image Credit: Starz

Before his rise to fame in Hollywood, McIntyre faced significant struggles. The Australian...

The Disney Plus first look into Daredevil: Born Again has been seven years in the making. It's here and so worth the wait. Largely because (pun kinda intended) we've moved past Kingpin's reign in Hell's Kitchen and gone straight into the Mayor Wilson Fisk administration.

We already spelled out the many compelling aspects of the first trailer. With Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk playing mental chess over coffee and Frank Castle destroying a wall, there were a few more Easter Eggs in there, such as:

MuseWhite Tiger Foggy and KarenBullseyeSome fun time in the shower for Matt that wasn't with Karen or Elektra

However, Mayor Wilson Fisk is the most compelling Cadbury Easter Egg of the entire trailer for comic book fans. We are five years in the future, and for hardcore Daredevil fans, Kingpin's entry into politics carries some serious appeal into what this Disney+ series could become.

Take a look at the new "Spartacus: House of Ashur" 10-episode live-action drama series, starring Nick Tarabay as the cunning ‘Ashur', a role he originated in the original "Spartacus" series, airing Fall 2025 on Starz:

"...'Spartacus: House of Ashur' will be a history-bending, erotic, thrilling…

“…roller-coaster experience that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit.

"The series poses the question: what if 'Ashur' played by fan favorite Nick Tarabay…

“…hadn't died on 'Mount Vesuvius' at the end of 'Spartacus: Vengeance'?

"And what if he had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by 'Batiatus'…

“…in return for aiding the 'Romans' in killing 'Spartacus' and putting an end to the slave rebellion?..."

Click the images to enlarge...

The Spartacus franchise is expanding and a first look at the latest series is here!

Starz debuted a short sneak peek at the upcoming Spartacus: House of Ashur on Wednesday (January 15), along with announcing the time frame it will premiere.

Keep reading to find out more…

Here’s a synopsis: Spartacus: House of Ashur will be a history-bending, erotic, thrilling, roller-coaster experience that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit. The series poses the question: what if Ashur, hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of Spartacus: Vengeance? And what if he had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by Batiatus in return for aiding the Romans in killing Spartacus and putting an end to the slave rebellion?

Fan-favorite Nick Tarabay will reprise his role of Ashur. Outlander‘s Graham McTavish joins as Korris, Ashur’s Doctore and Tenika Davis is the franchise’s first female gladiator,...

It’s been more than 10 years since we’ve seen a ‘Spartacus’ series on Starz. But you know how things are nowadays, with reboots and spinoffs. It was only a matter of time before the ‘Spartacus’ franchise had a resurgence. Welcome to “Spartacus: House of Ashur.”

Read More: The 75 Most Anticipated TV Shows Of 2025

As seen in the teaser for the series, “Spartacus: House of Ashur” isn’t a prequel, sequel, or reboot of the franchise.

Continue reading ‘Spartacus: House Of Ashur’ Teaser: Steven DeKnight’s ‘Spartacus’ Returns After More Than A Decade at The Playlist.

Starz’s first teaser trailer for Spartacus: House of Ashur provides just a 40-second sneak peek at the much-anticipated Spartacus spinoff. But those 40 seconds are enough to reignite fans who will, unfortunately, have to wait until this fall to return to the gladiator arena.

Nick Tarabay returns to the world of gladiators, reprising his role as Ashur. Outlander’s Graham McTavish stars as Korris, Ashur’s Doctore, and Tenika Davis stars as Achillia, a fierce gladiatrix. The cast also includes Jamaica Vaughan (Home and Away), Ivana Baquero (The Shannara Chronicles), Jordi Webber (Choose Love), Claudia Black (Farscape), India Shaw-Smith (The Pines Still Whisper), and Leigh Gill (Joker).

“Spartacus: House of Ashur will be a history-bending, erotic, thrilling, roller-coaster experience that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit,” reads Starz’s synopsis. “The series poses the question: what if Ashur, hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of Spartacus: Vengeance?...

The first teaser trailer for Spartacus: House of Ashur has entered the arena! Starz‘s sequel series welcomes a new era of gladiatorial combat drama to the stage, along with an autumn release window.

Here’s the official synopsis for Spartacus: House of Ashur courtesy of Starz:

“What if Ashur (Nick Tarabay), hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of ‘Spartacus: Vengeance?’ And what if he had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by Batiatus in return for aiding the Romans in killing Spartacus and putting an end to the slave rebellion?”

Created, written, and executive-produced by Steve DeKnight, Spartacus raised its sword and shield on Starz in 2010 with its first season, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. A prequel series followed called Spartacus: Gods of the Arena in 2011, with Spartacus: Vengeance dropping in 2012 and Spartacus: War of the Damned in 2013. The original series, Blood and Sand, revolved around the life of Spartacus,...

Spartacus: House of Ashur gets its first trailer, teasing the return of the hit Starz series. Airing from 2010 to 2013, Spartacus was created by Steven S. DeKnight, chronicling the origins of the titular gladiator, who led a rebellion against the Romans. The upcoming spinoff series also hails from DeKnight, with the Spartacus: House of Ashur story set to follow Nick Tarabay's Ashur, imagining what would have happened had the character not died on Mount Vesuvius in the original series.

Starz now releases the first teaser trailer for Spartacus: House of Ashur, revealing more about what's to come when the series premieres in fall 2025. The trailer provides a first look at several new cast members, including Graham Mctavish (House of the Dragon), who plays Korris, Jordi Webber, who plays Tarchon, and Tenika Davis, who plays Achillia. Check out the trailer below:

Accompanying the trailer is a more detailed description of what...

More than a decade after the last installment of Starz’s Spartacus series aired, the premium cable outlet is headed back to the arena.

The outlet released a teaser for Spartacus: House of Ashur on Wednesday, offering a brief glimpse at the follow-up series that centers on Nick Tarabay’s character, Ashur, from the original series. As for how Ashur — who died in the finale of Spartacus: Vengeance in 2012 — is alive in the new series, Starz explains it this way: “The series poses the question: What if Ashur, hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of Spartacus: Vengeance? And what if he had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by Batiatus in return for aiding the Romans in killing Spartacus and putting an end to the slave rebellion?”

The sliding-doors narrative, which Starz further says will “reimagine possibilities and turns of fate from the original fan-favorite series,...

Starz has released the first look at its upcoming action-packed gladiator drama Spartacus: House of Ashur with a teaser trailer that gives fans an early peek at the next chapter in the Spartacus franchise set to premiere this fall.

Nick Tarabay reprises his role as the infamous Ashur in this epic new saga which re-imagines possibilities and turns of fate from the original fan-favorite series. Outlander‘s Graham McTavish will co-star as Korris, Ashur’s Doctore, and Tenika Davis as Achillia, a fierce gladiatrix, with Steven S. DeKnight also continuing to helm the world of Spartacus as executive producer and showrunner.

Spartacus: House of Ashur will be a history-bending, erotic, thrilling, roller-coaster experience that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit. The series poses the question: what if Ashur, hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of Spartacus: Vengeance?

And what if he had...

Starz is expanding its Spartacus franchise and bringing Nick Tarabay back as Ashur in a new spinoff. The 10-episode series, House of Ashur, was first announced in November 2023 as “a history-bending, erotic, thrilling, roller-coaster experience that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit.” Spartacus creator, writer, and executive producer Steven S. DeKnight serves as showrunner and executive producer. “A decade ago the groundbreaking original Spartacus captivated viewers worldwide and we’re excited to deliver more enthralling, high-octane drama that our fervent fans have been anticipating,” said Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming, Starz, at the time. “It is an honor to team up with Steven again as he expands upon the storytelling within this thrilling, action-packed universe.” Added DeKnight, “To be afforded the opportunity to return a decade later to a series you loved is such a rare, wonderful opportunity. I could not be more excited...

“Spartacus” is back — just without a Spartacus.

On Wednesday, January 15, Starz released the first-look teaser trailer for “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” a sequel to its original three-season “Spartacus” series, which started in 2010 with “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” continued with “Spartacus: Vengeance,” and concluded in 2013 with “Spartacus: War of the Damned.” Between “Blood and Sand” and “Vengeance,” Starz made a six-episode miniseries “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.”

(Spartacus, by the way, is a real historical figure. He was a Thracian gladiator and one of the escaped slaves who led an uprising against the Roman Republic in the early first century BC. Andy Whitfield played Spartacus for the first season and provided a brief voiceover for its prequel. At the time, he was battling stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Whitfield died in 2011; Liam McIntyre took over the role in Seasons 2 and 3. Kirk Douglas famously played Spartacus in Stanley Kubrick’s 1960 film.)

“Spartacus: House of Ashur...

What if Ashur hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of Spartacus: Vengeance? That’s one of the questions Starz’s new sequel series Spartacus: House of Ashur will aim to answer, with Nick Tarabay reprising his role as the titular Syrian slave. And now, we finally have our very first look at the bloody battles up ahead.

Starz released a new teaser for the series Wednesday, which welcomes a whole new era of gladiators into the arena. In the video (watch it embedded above), Ashur seems ready to take on whatever opponents are thrown at him. As...

Starz has dropped the first teaser for the sequel series “Spartacus: House of Ashur.”

The teaser sets up a “new era” of combat in the arena with plenty of blood and sand to go around. The teaser also revealed that the show will launch this fall though a specific premiere date has yet to be announced.

Watch the teaser below.

“House of Ashur” was greenlit at Starz in November 2023, with the show having first reported to be in development in February of that year. The official description for the series states that it poses the question “What if Ashur (Nick Tarabay), hadn’t died on Mount Vesuvius at the end of ‘Spartacus: Vengeance?’ And what if he had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by Batiatus in return for aiding the Romans in killing Spartacus and putting an end to the slave rebellion?”

Along with Tarabay, the cast will include Graham McTavish as Korris,...

The Starz series The Serpent Queen is a historical drama that centers on Catherine de Medici, the Queen of France from 1547 to 1559, exploring who she really was behind closed doors. Starring Samantha Morton as the elder Catherine and Liv Hill as teenage Catherine, the series explores her reign beginning with her youth, when she was first betrothed to King Henry II. Using cunning manipulation and cutthroat tactics, Catherine stops at nothing to secure her legacy to the French throne.

Airing for two seasons, The Serpent Queen is rife with political intrigue and historical anachronisms, yet there is still an outline of truth in its characterization of historical figures and events. Season 1 of the show has Catherine narrating her story to a servant girl, Rahima, which cleverly leaves room for interpretation. As to who was the Serpent Queen, and how she earned the nickname, the series aspired to showcase how Catherine...

Stanley Kubrick was a prolific director over the course of his career. He made his directorial debut in 1952 with the war drama Fear and Desire. This film was just over one hour, but eight years later, the scale of Kubrick's productions increased significantly when he helmed Spartacus, an over-three-hour historical epic. From there, the '60s saw a stream of iconic films from Kubrick, including Lolita, Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The rate at which Kubrick made films slowed down over time, but he kept making movies until his death. His last project was Eyes Wide Shut, an erotic thriller in 1999. Like many of his works, the film had a long runtime, spanning over 2.5 hours. The movie was notoriously divisive, in part due to its graphic sexual nature. Now, one of Kubrick's films has been made...

The new “Spartacus” live-action prequel, stars actor Nick Tarabay, reprising his “Spartacus: Vengeance” role as the cunning gladiator 'Ashur’, with Lucy Lawless as ‘Lucretia’, Tenika Davis as ‘Achillia’, Jamaica Vaughan as ‘Hilara’, Ivana Baquero as ‘Messia’, Leigh Gill as ‘Satyrus’, Jordi Webber as Tarchon’, India Shaw-Smith as ‘Viridia’ and Claudia Black as ‘Cossutia’, airing in 2025 on Starz:

"...'Spartacus: House of Ashur' will be a history-bending, R-rated roller-coaster experience…

‘…that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit.

"The series poses the question: what if 'Ashur', played by Nick Tarabay…

“…hadn't died on 'Mount Vesuvius' at the end of 'Spartacus: Vengeance'?

“This will be accomplished by a recreation…

“…of his original death scene. But this time he won’t die.

"And what if he had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by 'Batiatus'…

“…in return for aiding the 'Romans' in killing 'Spartacus'…...

When Kirk Douglas died in 2020 at the age of 103 (!), he left behind a massive legacy of over 90 films that even the most stalwart cineastes haven't been able to work their way through. Known for his affable smile and intense performances, Douglas is one of Hollywood's most famous leading men, and was the industry's most profitable actor throughout the 1950s. He was also a producing powerhouse, having started his own production company, Bryna Productions, which handled some of his best-known films. Bryna backed the Stanley Kubrick movies "Paths of Glory" and "Spartacus," as well as "The Vikings," "Seconds," "Seven Days in May," and, later on, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Douglas never lost sight of the evolving nature of film, rarely resting on trends or genres. 

In 1962, Bryna also backed a neo-Western called "Lonely Are the Brave." Set in the present day, "Brave" stars Douglas as a Korean War veteran...

The Fall Of The Roman Empire Comparison (Photo Credit – Facebook)

With Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II continuing to draw big numbers at the box office, conversations about the potential for a third installment are taking off, with the prolific filmmaker already calling in its favor. The sequel to the Academy Award-winning Gladiator saw Scott return to the helm, continuing a story loosely inspired by historical events. Adding Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington to the beloved franchise, the big-budget tentpole’s ability to blend melodrama with history has been a significant draw for audiences worldwide.

While Gladiator features characters based on historical Roman citizens like Joaquin Phoenix’s Emperor Commodus and Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla, the story nevertheless took creative liberties, notably with Russell Crowe’s Maximus. This character replaced Narcissus, a real-life wrestler who assassinated Emperor Commodus. Despite these alterations, the film’s narrative entertained audiences’ imaginations with...

These deals are only available through the end of Monday, so don’t miss out.

It’s the holiday season, and Hulu is the one giving gifts! Hulu is one of the most popular streaming services on the market because of its mix of Emmy-winning originals like “The Bear” and “Shōgun” as well as being the home for next-day streaming of TV series from ABC, Fox, FX, and more. However, you might not realize that you can also add premium streaming services to your Hulu subscription. Through the end of Cyber Monday, you can not only take advantage of Hulu’s incredible $0.99-per-month special offer, but you can also add on Starz for just $0.99 monthly as well.

How to get Hulu’s Starz add-on with its Cyber Monday deal Click here to get Hulu's Cyber Monday deal. Enter your MyDisney login information, or create an account. Type in payment information.

Legendary Kiwi actor Lucy Lawless, renowned for her iconic roles in Xena: Warrior Princess, Battlestar Galactica, and Spartacus: Blood and Sand, recently sat down with HeyUGuys to discuss her compelling directorial debut, Never Look Away. The film delves into the remarkable life and career of Margaret Moth, one of New Zealand’s most fearless war photographers. The film represents a bold and exciting shift for Lawless as she transitions from her celebrated acting career to the challenging and creative world behind the camera.

In the interview, Lawless shared her deep admiration for Moth, whose life was a testament to courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of truth through photojournalism. Moth’s fearless approach to capturing stories resulted in her being shot by a sniper suring the siege of Sarajevo in 1992. Lawless spoke passionately about the responsibility of telling Moth’s story authentically, ensuring that her unparalled spirit and groundbreaking work resonate with audiences.

Can you believe it’s been over a decade since Spartacus first brought its blood-soaked, action-packed drama to our screens? Back in 2010, this hit show redefined the historical epics with its unapologetic intense storytelling and raw actions. Though Gladiator and Rome did lay the groundwork for sword-and-sandal greatness, Spartacus intensified the level, delivering four seasons of unforgettable action.

Of course, it wasn’t just the on-screen drama that had us hooked to our screens, behind the scenes, the heartbreaking loss of Andy Whitfield after Season 1 broke our hearts. But the series persevered, with Liam McIntyre stepping in to finish this epic saga of the Thracian rebel leader.

A still from Spartacus (Credits- Starz)

And the legacy of the legendary storyline has now returned once again with the upcoming spinoff, Spartacus: House of Ashur. Reportedly, Starz is revisiting the story but with an added twist, what if Ashur, the scheming underdog...

If your thirst for non-stop action isn’t sated by the bloodletting in “Gladiator II,” take a gander at previous epics like “Spartacus” and “Ben-Hur,” which both heavily influenced the original “Gladiator.”

We’ve also thrown in some cinematic suggestions that go beyond Ancient Rome, with sprawling battles in West Africa, Persia, Spain, Japan and Norway, and confrontations that don’t necessarily involve a sword and shield.

Behold some great, epic action movies like “Gladiator II” to watch next.

(Universal Pictures) Gladiator (2000)

The Oscar-winning Ridley Scott epic is obviously the template for the new sequel, but if for some reason you haven’t seen Russell Crowe’s Maximus (almost) single-handedly upending the Roman Empire, you should remedy that with due speed. The film, which won five Oscars, including one for Crowe as Best Actor, is always worth revisiting, especially in light of the many callbacks in the new film. Strength and honor!

Lucy Lawless is stepping behind the camera for the first time with Never Look Away. Lawless memorably first broke out on screen with the classic fantasy show Xena: Warrior Princess, which she had originated in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys before receiving her own spinoff. In the years since, the New Zealand actor has found further success with everything from Battlestar: Galactica to key roles in the Spartacus franchise as Lucretia and Ash vs. Evil Dead as the villainous Ruby.

With Never Look Away, Lawless finds herself pulling from her home country's history to explore the life of Margaret Moth, a photojournalist who worked for CNN in the '90s, covering the likes of the Persian Gulf War, the Tbilisi, Georgia civil war, the Bosnian War, and a variety of other conflicts in the Middle East. The movie also chronicles Moth's personal life, including the various lovers she had and...

Let’s talk about one of the internet’s weirdest obsessions: killing off celebrities who are very much alive. What started as rare newspaper blunders in the early 1900s has morphed into a full-blown social media sport, where a single viral post can “declare” a star’s death faster than you can say “fake news.”

A still from The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2001-2007) | Credits: Cartoon Network Studios

From Charlie Chaplin’s early brush with rumored demise to today’s pop icons getting “canceled” by bogus death reports, celebrities have basically become professional rumor-busters. These death hoaxes aren’t just random internet noise—they’re bizarre opportunities for stars to showcase their wit, turning potentially scary misinformation into clever comebacks and marketing moments. Turns out, in the age of viral headlines, staying alive can be its own form of entertainment.

1. Charlie Chaplin Charlie Chaplin in a still from...

The long-awaited action drama sequel Gladiator II advances the story of Lucius Verus Aurelius while expanding upon the legacy of Maximus Decimus Meridius with an adventure that takes place across the vast Roman Empire. The narrative picks up roughly 16 years after the events of the original Gladiator, and begins with Lucius far from the streets of Rome. Over the course of Gladiator II, Lucius makes his way across the empire before finding himself back on the sands of the Colosseum, with stops at some of the most significant locations of the Roman Empire in the second century.

While the true story of the locations and events shown in Gladiator II may not line up precisely with what is depicted on screen, the changes are clearly made to create a more engaging narrative. As Lucius (Paul Mescal) makes his way back to the Colosseum, each of the locations he stops at...

“At my signal, unleash hell.” For those of us that were alive back in the year 2000 and avid movie fans, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator was an event. While historical dramas aren’t especially rare nowadays, back then, they were relatively rare. Sure, there was the occasional Braveheart or Rob Roy, but they weren’t considered a bankable genre. Yet, that all changed when director Ridley Scott, whose career was at a low ebb following the failure of almost every movie he made in the 90s decided to revive the so-called “sword and sandal” genre with a gritty, lavish redux of the historical epic.

In the fifties and sixties, these types of movies were commonplace, although in movies like The Robe or Ben-Hur, they usually told biblical tales. That changed a little with Spartacus, El Cid, and The Fall of the Roman Empire, but before long the genre was considered a...

With streaming costs rising, Plex offers a free way to access movies, TV shows, live channels, and even your personal media - saving you both time and money.

With the price of streaming services going up everywhere you look (along with the price of everything else!), there comes a point where a free streamer that offers enough of what you need starts to make sense. If you’ve hit that point, it’s time to check out Plex. Plex lets you streamline your entertainment options without spending a dime, and offers a surprisingly rich mix of movies, TV shows, and live channels. Plex’s universal watchlist pulls together content from all your other streaming subscriptions into one easy-to-navigate hub. Plus, there’s the added bonus of letting you organize and stream your own media files from any device. So, whether you’re in the mood for something new or revisiting old favorites,...

Movies about Rome often bring to memory emperors, gladiators, Julius Caesar, and aristocrats. Many people also think of William Shakespeare, as the Bard himself wrote frequently on the subject in his plays. Outside of Shakespeare and adaptations of his work, Ancient Rome played a big role in massive studio movies since the early days of silent films. Some of the most renowned movies in cinema history have been set in Ancient Rome, including some of the world's earliest blockbusters with headline-grabbing budgets, such as Ben Hur's then-recording-breaking $15 million dollar production cost in 1959.

Movies set in the Roman Empire fall into the "sword and sandal" movie subgenre, though the movies set in this specific corner of the ancient world are renowned for their tendency to have massive sets and budgets to match. The increased budget brought with it big risks, but the best movies set in Ancient Rome often ended...

It’s no secret that the unscripted television business has been struggling recently, with numerous companies closing down and the number of projects bought stagnating.

This is an issue that is also concerning Lionsgate, which is behind series such as Discovery’s Naked and Afraid.

CEO Jon Feltheimer, talking to analysts Thursday after reporting its “disappointing” financial quarter, admitted that “our unscripted business is feeling the effects of a continuing market correction.”

“In the meantime, our television business is doing everything you would expect us to do: reducing costs; consolidating smaller labels to create greater efficiencies in our unscripted business; and continuing to evaluate the mix of business models on our scripted slate to mitigate risk and maximize our upside,” he added.

The consolidation to which Feltheimer is referring is the launch of Lionsgate Alternative Television at the start of the year, designed to bring eOne’s unscripted assets together...

The new “Spartacus” live-action prequel, is set in an alternate timeline, with actor Nick Tarabay, reprising his “Spartacus: Vengeance” role as the cunning gladiator 'Ashur’, with Lucy Lawless as ‘Lucretia’, Tenika Davis as ‘Achillia’, Jamaica Vaughan as ‘Hilara’, Ivana Baquero as ‘Messia’, Leigh Gill as ‘Satyrus’, Jordi Webber as Tarchon’, India Shaw-Smith as ‘Viridia’ and Claudia Black as ‘Cossutia’, airing in 2025 on Starz:

"...'Spartacus: House of Ashur' will be a history-bending, erotic, thrilling, roller-coaster experience…

‘…that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit.

"The series poses the question: what if 'Ashur', played by Nick Tarabay…

“…hadn't died on 'Mount Vesuvius' at the end of 'Spartacus: Vengeance'?

“This will be accomplished by a recreation…

“…of his original death scene. But this time he won’t die.

"And what if he had been gifted the gladiator school once owned by 'Batiatus'…

“…in return...

Hollywood’s most notable bombs are — sadly — just as well-known as its biggest hits, a factor that a new book joyously celebrates.

From British film critic Tim Robey, “Box Office Poison” digs up the dirt on some of cinema’s wildest misfires, from grand follies to misunderstood masterpieces, disastrous sequels to catastrophic literary adaptations, going behind the scenes to examine how they ended careers, bankrupted studios and changed film history.

Among the features in Robey’s crosshairs are David Lynch’s “Dune,” plus “Speed 2: Cruise Control,” “Gigli,” “Catwoman,” “Pan” and — of course — “Cats.”

In this exclusive extract from the book, being released by Hanover Square Press in the U.S. on Nov. 5, it’s the turn of the swashbuckling catastrophe that was Renny Harlin and Geana Davis’ “Cutthroat Island.” Costing upwards of $115 million to make, the watery flop sank almost without a trace in 1995, earning just $18.5 million globally and...

From 2020 to 2022, Bruce Willis cranked out a huge number of movies, most of them low-budget sci-fi/action films that all went straight-to-video, and usually playing brief, supporting roles. The many films were, by and large, panned by critics and mocked by baffled fans, all of whom wondered by Willis didn't appear to have much on-camera dialogue, or why he wasn't the lead character. In three years, he appeared in 22 movies. 

In March of 2022, it was announced that Willis had been diagnosed with aphasia, a brain condition that affected his ability to speak and comprehend language. Many of the above fans expressed their deepest apologies, and even the Razzies, in a rare show of good taste, retraced Willis' Worst Actor nominations. Willis retired from acting because of his condition. In February 2023, Willis, now 69, was also diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, and he remains in the care of his family. 

Willis, of course,...

Plex is gearing up for an exciting lineup of films and series in November 2024. Viewers can look forward to a variety of new additions, including Blue Ridge, But I’m A Cheerleader, Call Jane, and Empire State. Cult classics like The Grudge, Hard Candy, House of 1000 Corpses, and The Midnight Meat Train are also hitting the platform, alongside more recent hits like Wind River and Where’d You Go, Bernadette? For fans of horror, thrillers, and emotional dramas, there’s no shortage of options. However, Plex is also bidding farewell to a number of films and shows in November. Among those leaving are 24 Hours to Live, Drive Angry, The Devil’s Rejects, Snowpiercer, and USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage. If you’ve been meaning to watch these titles, now is the time to catch them before they disappear. For those looking to binge their favorites, many notable titles are still available for streaming.

The 1980s were a peak decade for horror. My favorite 1980s horror movie transcends the genre and has influenced it profoundly. It’s also one of the few horror movies that routinely appears on lists of the greatest movies of all time.

My favorite horror movie from the 1980s was by the best director of all time

Perhaps the most acclaimed film director of all time was Stanley Kubrick. His most famous films include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Spartacus, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, Lolita, and Eyes Wide Shut. Each of these films was a mainstream release that felt more like an arthouse film. These days, the Kubrick film that’s the most popular might be The Shining.

Considering it’s based on a novel by Stephen King and stars Jack Nicholson, The Shining sounds like it should be a good but conventional Hollywood movie. After all, most King adaptations are pretty straightforward.

Welcome to Deadline’s The Hot Ones — Drama, our guide to some of the best scripted TV being sold at MIPCOM this year. Our editorial team has done extensive research in the run-up to the 2024 market and has handpicked a selection of the projects set to be big talking points at this year’s event in Cannes.

In between meetings and cocktail parties, you’re sure to hear whispers about the next potential global hit, and The Hot Ones is here to guide you. So scroll down for the juiciest fare including Beta Films’ Rise of the Raven, Lionsgate’s Spartacus prequel and Fremantle’s Jesse Williams-starrer Costiera.

A Better Place Komplizen/StudioCanal/Wolfgang Ennenbach

Distributor: StudioCanal

Length: 8 x 45’

Producers: Komplizen Serien, Studiocanal Series, Film Ag, The Post Republic, Wdr, Ard Degeto

Network: Ard (Germany), Canal+ (France & Austria)

What happens to a society that ditches prison? That’s the...

The final film from director, producer, and American genre film icon William Castle was 1974’s surreal fantasy Shanks, which is making its 4K Ultra HD debut from a brand new restoration from its original negative courtesy of the Vinegar Syndrome sub-label Cinématographe. And it’s available for pre-order Now.

Cinématographe previews, “Shanks is a decidedly surrealist amalgamation of quirky fantasy and mid ’70s character-driven horror. Anchored by a delectable dual performance from celebrated French actor Marcel Marcau, with potently eerie camera work by 13 Ghosts cinematographer Joseph F. Biroc and an atmospheric score by legendary composer Alex North, we’re proud to present Castle’s often overlooked slice of mid- 70s alienation in its 4K Uhd debut from a brand new restoration from its original negative.”

The 2-Disc Set features a 4K Ultra HD disc plus a Region A Blu-ray disc.

Special Features include…

New audio commentary with film historians...

10-time Oscar nominee Laurence Olivier has the lowest winning percentage of any other actor who has even been nominated for multiple Academy Awards. Olivier was a renowned stage and film actor who starred in many classic movies, such as Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca (1949) and Richard Attenborough's A Bridge Too Far (1977). Laurence Olivier's greatest films also include Sleuth (1972) which stars Michael Caine, Wuthering Heights (1939) which garnered Olivier's first Oscar nomination, and Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus (1960).

Olivier was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar nine times, winning only for his leading role in 1948's Hamlet, which he also directed. He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor on one occasion for 1976's Marathon Man, which starred Dustin Hoffman and Roy Scheider. Olivier won two Honorary Academy Awards, one in 1947 for his achievement as director, producer, and lead actor in 1947's Henry V, and one in 1979 for his full body and work...

During an online Ama this past Friday, Francis Ford Coppola shared some factoids about his recently released sci-fi epic “Megalopolis,” including a list of influences he posted on Letterboxd. The list includes films adapted from the works of H.G. Wells, historical epics, erotic dramas, and many more. Upon examining each individually, it’s easy to see how they all had effect on Coppola’s ultimate vision on a new Roman Empire and an architect trying to bring about change.

Starring Adam Driver and featuring performances from Aubrey Plaza, Jon Voight, Nathalie Emmanuel, Shia Labeouf, Talia Shire, and Giancarlo Esposito, “Megalopolis” premiered at Cannes, where it received a mixed reception. In IndieWire’s review of the film, David Ehrlich wrote, “After more than 40 years of idly fantasizing about the project (and more than 20 years of actively trying to finance it), Coppola is bringing ‘Megalopolis’ to screens at a moment when his...

Sometimes we need to ask for serenity for the things we cannot change, and something we cannot change is that the Community script is always being changed. It's been more than two years since the announcement of the long-anticipated Community movie, and the anticipation only continues. In that time there...

New Zealand just might find itself flooded with American tourists after CBS’ The Summit airs. When the series premiere opens, we’re greeted with gorgeous raging rivers, plummeting waterfalls and thunderous mountains. Soak it in. It’s all breathtaking, even from the comforts of the couch, isn’t it?

Host Manu Bennett (Spartacus, Arrow) explains the setup. Sixteen Americans will be tasked with climbing a monstrous peak in just 14 days. If successful, they’ll earn their share of $1 million. But challenges and stunts will test them along the way, including difficult decisions that will force them to flex some strategy and turn against each other.

Transformers One is now playing in theaters, and many critics (including this one) say it’s the best Transformers movie ever made (disagree with that? Take our poll!) Yet, the film has been the subject of a bit of controversy, with some fans resenting that, for the first time in the movies, someone else is voicing Optimus Prime other than the legendary Peter Cullen, with Chris Hemsworth taking over the role. We recently sat down with Transformers One director Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4), who addressed the change head-on.

“Peter Cullen is Optimus Prime,” Cooley said, adding, “he’s my Optimus Prime. That’s what I grew up with. That’s the iconic voice. And Chris and I talked a lot about that early on. And even before Chris came on, I was, you know, how, how are we going to do this? But the thing that really clicked for...

The final season of Power Book II: Ghost will go down as the most watched show ever on Starz.

The drama, which is headed toward its series finale on Oct. 4, is averaging 10.5 million viewers across all platforms, measured for 90 days post-premiere. (Several years ago, Starz noted that season five of Ghost’s predecessor, Power, averaged 10.8 million viewers, but over a longer span of time than 90 days.)

The Power franchise, which encompasses four series, has set a number of ratings records for Starz. The flagship series displaced Spartacus as Starz’s most watched show at the time back in 2015 and continued to roll up big audiences over the course of its run. Ghost, Book III: Raising Kanan and Book IV: Force — which notched the biggest opening weekend for any series premiere in the channel’s history — have also pulled in strong viewing numbers over their runs.

Ghost remains among the top...