Director Roland Emmerich Says Shooting New Gladiator Series Those About to Die Was ‘Murderous’

“It was murderous,” acclaimed director Roland Emmerich shared about what it was like shooting Peacock’s stunning new epic series, Those About to Die. More on Emmerich’s murderous comments later. For now, let’s just say — and it’s not every day we can say this — Those About to Die is unlike any series we’ve ever seen. (Although Gladiator and Game of Thrones come close.) Bold, epic, and surpassing expectations both visually and narratively, the action-packed 10-episode series is inspired by Daniel Mannix’s non-fiction book of the same name. It hits the streamer July 18.

Set in Rome in 79 AD, the undertaking marks Emmerich’s television directorial debut. Peacock is lucky to have him. He is, after all, the man behind crowd-pleasers like The Day After Tomorrow and The Patriot. Emmerich, who has long been a fan of the Roman Empire, also serves as supervising director here, and the series is yet another feat for the filmmaker. Independence Day, one of Emmerich’s biggest blockbusters, garnered more than $817 million worldwide. It was considered a mammoth undertaking at the time, with its sprawling all-star cast and extensive special effects.

But Those About to Die is equally massive in scope and storytelling, perhaps more so. We asked the filmmaker which outing was more challenging to execute, to which he said:

Directing Anthony Hopkins in Ancient Rome

Those About To Die (2024)

Set in the year 79 AD in Rome, Those About to Die dives into the brutal and complex world of gladiatorial combat. The series explores the dark underbelly of Roman entertainment, where the promise of free food and blood-soaked spectacles keep the restless population in check. The narrative focuses on various characters from all corners of the Roman Empire, whose lives intersect in the grand arena.

Release Date

July 18, 2024

Cast

Anthony Hopkins , Tom Huges , Sara Martins , Jojo Macari , Gabriella Pession , Dmitri Leonidas , Moe Hashim , Iwan Rheon

Seasons

1

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The series explores a side of Rome never before told — from shady business deals and coliseum-packed entertainment to giving mob crowds what they savor most: blood and sport. The all-star cast features Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins (The Father, The Silence of the Lambs) as Emperor Vaspasian, who attempts to groom his two sons, Titus (Tom Hughes of The English) and Domitian (JoJo Macari of Sex Education, Masters of Air) to hold their own.

When asked what it was like directing a legend like Anthony Hopkins, who delivers yet another powerful turn here, Emmerich said: “The easiest thing you can think of. And I’ll tell you why. I shot also with Mel Gibson [in The Patriot] and it was also easy. Because I think they make it easy for you as a director.”

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Roland Emmerich Says He’s a Perfectionist

The series has Oscar-nominated writer Robert Rodat (The Patriot, Saving Private Ryan) on board. It divides its storytelling between the Flavians (The Emperor and his sons), traders and fighters (The Numidians), gamblers and criminals, the ruling class (The Patricians), and the Corsi Brothers, who arrive from Spain and get caught up in chariot racing.

Gabriella Pession, Rupert Penry-Jones, Pepe Barroso, Eneko Sargadoy, Goncalo Almeida, Sara Martins, Moe Hashim, Kyshan Wilson, AliciaEdogamhe, Iwan Rheon, Dimitri Leonida, and Johannes Johannesson are among the huge cast. Several actors interviewed by MovieWeb, noted how “tenacious” Emmerich is as a director but also very playful after filming stops.

“I think I’m an absolute perfectionist,” Emmerich mused. “I mean, I’m like another guy who kind of says, ‘This is not fast enough, this is not good enough.’ But I also leave the actors a lot of room.”

To that end, the series is pretty perfect itself and definitely slays — literally and figuratively. Tune into Those About to Die on Peacock, beginning July 18, through the link below:

Watch on Peacock