Image Credit: C. Hodes/FoxI’m hearing ex-Prison Break con Wentworth Miller has expressed interest in taking over the title role in Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
As I reported last week, the Starz series — which briefly considered “closing up shop” after leading man Andy Whitfield dropped out to resume treatment for his Non-Hodgkin lymphoma — is moving forward with the recast option.
But is Miller right for the part? Since his Fox series wrapped, he’s been largely out of the limelight. And when he has been spotted, he hasn’t quite been the picture of buffness that the sand-and-sandals epic demands. Of course, that’s nothing a month or two with a personal trainer couldn’t fix. Your thoughts?
Personally, while I’m kinda psyched that the actor — who’ll always be Popular cheerleader Adam to some of us — is finally ready to get back in the game, he doesn’t seem quite right for Sparty. My first pick remains True Blood‘s ill-fated Cooter, Grant Bowler.
Anyway, I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Your thoughts?
He’s a good choice for the role.
Wrong, Too SMALL!, throw him back.
Agreed
I think Brian Austin Green would be the Perfect choice for the role of Spartacus, he looks a lot like Andy…. and is tall and hunky
You got that right!!
He is not quite right in the physical for the role. I love Went Miller as an actor he is a strong male lead, but STRONG as in the physical prowess that this role needs…I just don’t know. Not that Andy Whitfield is all that big.
Also he has said in interviews that accents really aren’t his strongsuit. Spartacus has to have an accent to fit in with all the other Aussies, Kiwis and Brits on the show.
Agreed. He’s just too scrawny and I doubt he could ever bulk up to Whitfield quality. Besides, he’s a bad actor.
what about the guy who played his brother on Prison Break? He is big and built and Aussie.
Spartacus is actually supposed to be smaller than the other guys. That’s why they all understimated him. I’m not sure about Wentworth, can he fake an accent? It’s a really good show, and I’d hate for the quality to suffer because they replaced Andy with an insufficient actor.
JIMMY is a gay name, your gayfish JIMMY!
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
No not old enough too young and not buff like Andy!
Not old enough *and* too young at the same time!? Wow!
Wentworth Miller is 38 years old and every season in prison break he was getting fatter and fatter.Who knows maybe he can work out all that fat from his body and turn it into muscle or maybe he already worked out for the audition to play the role.
isnt wentworth miller the old guy that does those horrible commercials for that investment firm that buys annuities?
hee hee hee
Meh, I’ve never found him particularly charismatic… and that’s far more important for this role than any physical similarity.
thats not true i think he is the best for this role
Was there ever any doubt that they’d be going forward – with money to be made?
I never watched Prison Break but from the pictures I’ve seen, the actor who played his brother might be a better fit.
Yes, Dominic Purcell would be perfect, he is already really built and has an accent
Charlie Hunnam would be much better!
Grant Bowler would be terrible!
Great actor, but I think he’d need to be more heavily muscled than he was on Prison Break.
Any chance to possibly see him naked I’ll take.
Yes please! I ain’t watching the show for his acting abilities
Like the way you think on this one, naked Wentworth is always a welcomed sight.
LMAO! I definitely agree!!!
Please no.
I really like Miller but I don’t know how if he would be as good as Andy for the role… those are pretty big sandals to fill!!
But no to Grant Bowler for Spartacus!!!! he’d be better fit for another gladiator
Agree!! Plus he doesn’t really fit the role. He has that good boy preppy quiet type boy look, wheras Spartacus is more of a badass. Andy fit that character well with his scruffy look. I like Miller but I just don’t think he’s right for it.
What about another miller – Jonny lee miller? If he buffed up…
I could also see Ryan Phillipe if he’d do TV, and even Jared Leto if he’d put the work into his body required. They have the intensity in their eyes for the part.
I would love for him to be in it
I happened to catch Wentworth in a rerun of an early episode of Buffy:The Vampire Slayer. He had a very small role, but I recognized him right away. Considering it was from 98 or 99, he looked pretty young.
With the fish? I remember it well.
My vote is still for James Marsters!!!!
I would LOVE to see James Marsters! That would be awesome! But isn’t he a bit lean? He’d have to really beef up for it.
He is way too old for this… almost 48. And when he was on Hawaii 50, he was certainly looking over 40.
Plus, too short.
Would much rather see him in something else — like a comedy, something unexpected.
Wentworth Miller is two inches taller than Whitfield.
Way too old.
Oh, wait. You’re talking about James Marsters. Never mind.
James Marsters – too old and on Caprica
Andy Whitfield is an Aussie actor I had never heard of before he did Spartacus, so I would like to see someone new in the role again, and someone from Austrailia. We all know they grow some really hot guys down there – Eric Bana, Hugh Jackman, Guy Pearce, Heath Ledger, Russell Crowe, Mel Gibson…I’m sure they can find one more hunky guy.
And, I send well-wishes and prayers for Andy’s speedy recovery.
Bazinga – Hmmm if you want an Aussie actor, how about the dude who played Whistler on Prison Break (Chris Vance)? He’s an Aussie Brit who looks a bit like Andy?
Definitely an interesting choice. I love Wentworth Miller to bits but I’m not sure if he is perfect for the role. I mean, if this happens it’s gonna be a great challenge for him and he can really prove himself but I remain skeptical
No. Doesn’t work for me. I understand we’re going to have to have a new actor but Whitfield had a certain presence as Spartacus that Wentworth Miller doesn’t have. They need to find someone similar, particularly for the story being told.
Wentworth Miller doesn’t work for me either. Andy Whitfield definitely had a certain presence as spartacus, he really captured all the emotions as the character developed. Don’t think Miller has the same capacity. They really need to find someone with the same physical presence and ability to bring the emotions of the character to life.
Can’t we just clone Andy Whitfield? this stinks!
There is no one but Andy for this role. The show is over for this viewer.
That’s sort of unfair. It’s no one’s fault that Andy got cancer. Andy would NOT want all those people to be out of a job just because he had to leave. Continuing makes sense, and in order to continue they need to recast. If you liked the show before, I’d say give it a chance with whoever is the replacement. Saying that Andy is the ONLY person who could play the part is just not reasonable. They only had a small number of episodes,and the part wasn’t written especially for him.
I hate to agree but yes, Andy is Spartacus and frankly, no one else will suffice. THe man was vested in his role and he possed gravitas that made it his. No one else will do. I’ll continue to enjoy the first season and look forward to God of the Arena and call it at that.
Great idea Daniel on young and the restless looks just like Andy check it out
i think with a heavy dose of working out he could do it he’s already got the acting chops and the pretty face
I don’t like him for the role. I hope they go with an unknown.
I thought that they might cast the star of Legend of the Seeker since that was their production too, but he is to young for this role. Wentworth isn’t a terrible idea, but I’d like to see some of the other candidates first.
Is there anything that you don’t watch Darclyte?
Interesting choice – while goodlooking enough – he might not be big enough though.
My thoughts were leaning toward Tamoh Penikatt (sp?) from Battlestar Galactica or Ben Browder from Farscape. Thomas Jane (although he has a series) or Ray Stevenson (from Rome) were other ideas.
The list of things that I don’t watch is MUCH larger than the small list of things that I do watch. I don’t watch anything with “The Real ___ of…” or New Jersey” in it. I don’t watch anything with “dancing” in it. Pretty much anything made by the ice road truckers, deadliest catch folks doesn’t make it on my tv. I don’t watch the shows on HBO or Showtime. I don’t watch any cops shows except CSI. I don’t watch any medical or lawyer shows. The only comedy I watch is Big Bang Theory. So, yeah, there are LOTS of things that I don’t watch. But I DID watch Spartacus.
YES!!!
Just a bit confused by Miller’s desire. I mean, the guy doesn’t have a problem “pretending” to be white. But, he’s want even portray a ANY character considered to be of African descent which by the way he “IS.” Sort of offended by him. My father was the son of white man and Afro American woman. He never denied being Afro American and proud understanding that this was not a way of denying his white father. More, he taught me the blood games certain folk play in the Afro American community–as Miller does– and among certain whites in general is stupid considering so many Afro Ameriican are of mixed blood/heritage.
the human stain??
I don’t understand, are you for or against this?
I don’t really see how your problem with him tracks. Apparently his father is of 10 different ethnic groups and his mother is of like 6. I think the reality is that perception ends up being king. Most of his dna is non black and that’s why he looks non black. My guess is he doesn’t get cast for black roles because he doesn’t look biracial in the traditional sense of the word. The human stain movie works b/c it was about someone who passed as white…which he does. I don’t blame him for not being cast in roles of african american/black characters b/c in the end its not his choice, and mainly b/c I doubt very much he gets offered those parts…a ridiculous example would be casting Denzel Washington a role of a white person. He doesn’t look white so it doesn’t track. Wentworth doesn’t really look black…or biracial, its not just that he is light skinned, its that his features aren’t at all obvious. He could easily rock Sparticus. And for people saying he couldn’t play the role b/c of his body….look at Gerard Butler in 300 and every movie sense. Dude lost all of his muscle got even a bit fat and then got back in shape. The big thing is can he act…and the answer is yes he can
Trenton…you’re making a huge assumption that he doesn’t get cast in African American roles. If you make an assumption like that, you could also assume that he does not audition for African American roles.
Also, have you looked at a lot of his pictures on the internet? In some of them he does look biracial.
As a mixed race person (African American and Italian American), I can’t see where you’re coming from with this comment. First – isn’t ALL acting “pretending” to some extent and two – who the HECK says “Afro American” any more! Jeez.
And yeah, did you see The Human Stain? Hello? What an ignorant comment that was. What’s he supposed to do, walk around wearing African pride garb and speaking Ebonics? For all we know, he likes to eat fried chicken and collard greens on Sundays! Is that “Afro American” enough for you? Sounds like you’re the one with the denial issues, BROTHA.
I’d love to see Wentworth in this role. Beefing up and slimming down, that’s what the good actors do. And I’d like to see him on TV on a regular basis again! : )
Exactly why does race have to be an issue…he looks like he is from the Mediterranean region…who cares if he has played white people in movies, it’s his job that is how he gets paid. Someone offers you millions of dollars to do your job you don’t quibble and say no.
Afro american, huh? The 80′s called and they want their politically correct term for Black people back.
I honestly have no idea what you are trying to say (because the way you typed it makes no sense whatsoever. Wentworth isn’t “pretending” (why quotes?) to be white. He IS white, and black (please stop saying afro american) and apparently many other ethnicities as well. I have never once seen Wentworth try to deny his mixed ethnicities. He seems to be an overall private person, but when asked, I have heard him speak openly about his ethnic background. I honestly really admire Wentworth. I think he is one of the most beautiful humans I have ever seen. Even better, and what makes him sexier, is his brain! He is so articulate and intelligent in addition to being ridiculously good looking. Lucky guy! I don’t know how he would be as Spartacus, but I say give him a shot. He deserves success.
Who cares what race anybody is? Anyone here think the real Spartacus was a Caucasian? I think Miller just wants to get paid again to keep his hair cropped…
ma di che cazzo stai parlando?
Really!?! He’s an ACTOR!! He plays the part they give him. I don’t get where you’re trying to go with this. You’re acting as if he blatantly denied being half black..
No, I would prefer someone who can actually act….
Maybe a little bit on the older side but Mel Gibson would be a great choice, Sam Worthington would also be perfect
except nobody wants to see Mel Gibson in anything but anger management classes and heavily medicated.
The Mel suggestion must have been a joke. Not Worthington because he is already doing too much. Karl Urban from Bourne and LOTR would be perfect but I doubt that they could get him. No one will be as perfect as Whitfield but he would be a good choice.
I love me some Karl Urban. But I prefer him with long hair ala Eomer (sigh). But hey, he might rock the cropped look.
Karl Urban would be great!