Peacock has handed a gladiator drama series directed by Roland Emmerich a straight-to-series order.The NBCU streamer has given the order to Those About To Die, inspired by Daniel Mannix’s eponymous non-fiction book.The series is a large-scale drama set within the spectacular, complex, and corrupt world of gladiatorial sports in Ancient Rome.
The series introduces an ensemble of diverse characters across the many layers of Roman society where sports, politics, and business intersect and collide.The series comes from AGC Television and will be co-financed by Europe’s High End Productions, the company set up by Herbert G.
Kloiber and Constantin Film, which has distribution rights in Europe.Deadline understands that the production budget is around $140M and that further production partners across Latin America, Middle East and Asia are expected to be added before the start of production, in the first quarter of 2023, in Italy.Moonfall and Independence Day director Emmerich will helm and exec produce via his Centropolis Entertainment banner.
Robert Rodat, who wrote Saving Private Ryan will write and exec produce.Hollywood Gang’s Gianni Nunnari and Street Entertainment’s Harald Kloser will also executive produce alongside High End’s Oliver Berben, Kloiber, Martin Moszkowicz, and Jonas Bauer.
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