In today’s episode of Bingeworthy, our TV and streaming podcast host Mike DeAngelo, keeping with the trend, ponders the Roman Empire while discussing “Those About to Die.” The Peacock series follows the many types of people who entertained the masses in the Roman Empire —from Emperors, criminals, the wealthy and powerful, down to the lowly horse wranglers. The show stars Anthony Hopkins, Iwan Rheon, Jojo Macari, Sara Martins, and more.

Continue reading ‘Those About to Die’: Roland Emmerich Talks the Roman Empire Series, Disaster Films & More [Bingeworthy Podcast] at The Playlist.

Peacock’s new “Gladiator”-esque, swords and sandals epic series, “Those About To Die” starring Anthony Hopkins and many more, is out in the world and available on the streaming service now (read our review), and so this week, it’s director and executive producer Roland Emmerich stopped by our Bingeworthy TV podcast to discuss the series and more.

That full podcast will be out tomorrow, but as we all know, Emmerich is also well-known for his sci-fi films and epic disaster movies, so we talked to him about his entire career, including “Independence Day,” “Stargate,” “Godzilla,” and more.

Continue reading Roland Emmerich Says A ‘Stargate’ Series Is Dead & Talks His Early, Never-Made ‘Alien Vs. Predator’ Film at The Playlist.

Nearly a quarter of a century ago, Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” took the swords-and-sandals action of previous genre-definers “Spartacus” and “Clash of the Titans” and gave it new life, paving the way for further success in Zach Snyder’s 2007 outing “300” and that forgettable 2016 remake of “Ben-Hur.” It’s a tricky world to adapt, extending beyond the over-the-top energy of brutal combat and chariot races and into the realms of a bygone era’s political, interpersonal, and economics.

Continue reading ‘Those About To Die’ Review: Anthony Hopkins Is But One Part Of Peacock’s Overstuffed, Ambitious Gladiatorial Romp at The Playlist.

How does someone survive Rome’s most cruel spectacle? The new series “Those About To Die” is set among the gladiatorial events and political intrigue that shaped an empire. “Saving Private Ryan” screenwriter Robert Rodat created the project and wrote several episodes. And, of course, it has a big name in it with two-time Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins (“Silence of the Lambs,” “The Father”).

Continue reading ‘Those About To Die’ Trailer: Anthony Hopkins Stars In Roland Emmerich’s New Peacock Gladiator-Era Series at The Playlist.

Director/producer Roland Emmerich (“Midway”) and Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins (“Silence of The Lambs”) have teamed up with AGC Studios to bring the Roman Empire to the small screen as Peacock has released a first-look trailer for the upcoming series “Those About To Die.” The new show premiering this summer is set to explore the world of gladiators, which has been iconically portrayed in the Ridley Scott action-drama “Gladiator.” Taking a page from history, “Those About To Die” sees Hopkins lead as the real-life Emperor Vespasian in the show focusing on the seedy and corrupt world of the blood sport.

Continue reading ‘Those About To Die’ Teaser Trailer: Anthony Hopkins Leads Gladiator Series Debuting July 18 at The Playlist.

Roland Emmerich, the master of the disaster movie, is no stranger to big-budget films with epic scope. But the man behind the likes of “Moonfall,” “2012,” and the “Independence Day” films strikes out for uncharted territory for his next work, his first time directing TV. So, what’s the project? “Those About To Die,” a gladiator epic set during the Ancient Roman empire.

Continue reading Roland Emmerich To Direct Gladiator Series ‘Those About To Die’ For Peacock at The Playlist.