"Spartacus" Makes The Cut For Season Three

Starz reports that "Spartacus" has been picked up for a third season, in advance of "Spartacus: Vengeance," debuting January 27, 2012. As yet untitled, production start on the third season of "Spartacus" is expected to begin in New Zealand 

“Many surprises are in store for 'Vengeance' viewers this year, but rest assured the multi-layered plot and richly developed characters will continue to be a trademark of this series," said Rob Tapert, executive producer. "It's incredibly gratifying to see how the story has resonated so well with viewers worldwide."

"The executives at Starz have been extremely supportive in giving us creative freedom," said executive producer Steven S. DeKnight, "allowing us to to tell the story in a rich, yet bold way that leaves an indelible mark on its fans."

The most recent chapter of "Spartacus" was the prequel, "Gods of the Arena", which ran January 2011, averaging an estimated 6.2 million total viewers per episode across all linear channels and on-demand viewing. McIntyre is joined by the returning cast of Lucy Lawless, Peter Mensah, Manu Bennett, Dustin Clare, Nick E. Tarabay and Katrina Law. Season two also brings the return of "Blood and Sand" cast members, Craig Parker as 'Gaius Cladius Glaber', the Roman commander who condemned Spartacus to slavery, and his cunning wife 'Ilithyia', played by Viva Bianca.

Actress Cynthia Addai-Robinson joins the series as 'Naevia', the former body slave to 'Lucretia' who was banished from the 'Ludus' for engaging in a love affair with 'Crixus'. "Spartacus: Vengeance" is executive produced by Rob Tapert, Steven S. DeKnight, Sam Raimi and Joshua Donen.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Spartacus: Vengeance"...

Enter The "House Of Pleasures"

IFC Films' dramatic feature "House Of Pleasures", is written and directed by Bertrand Bonello, starring Hafsia Herzi, Céline Sallette, Alice Barnole, Adèle Haenel, Jasmine Trince, Iliana Zabeth and Noémie Lvovsky :

"...'House Of Pleasures' depicts the final days of a turn of the century brothel when much of the Parisian sex trade was confined to 'grand maisons', populated by elegant madams and vetted clientele.

"Within the walls of 'L'Apollonide', we follow the lives of the 'Madam' (Lvovsky) and several girls including 'Madeline' (Barnole), aka 'the woman who laughs', 'Clotilde' (Sallette) the prostitute who longs to be a 'respectable woman' and 'Pauline' (Zabeth), the newcomer whose eyes are quickly opened to reality..."

Click the images to enlarge…

Scott's "Prometheus" Challenges The Gods

Director Ridley Scott's "Alien" prequel, "Prometheus", opens June 8th, 2012, starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Logan Marshall-Green and Patrick Wilson :

"...the film takes a team of scientists and explorers on a thrilling journey that will test their physical and mental limits, stranding them on a distant world, where they will discover the answers to our most profound questions and life's ultimate mystery..."

Scott shot "Prometheus" @ Pinewood Studios (UK),for Twentieth Century Fox, Scott Free Productions and Brandywine Productions.

The production used several stages at Pinewood including the '007 Stage', with "Prometheus" marking Scott's fifth film lensed at the studios, including "Alien", "Legend", "White Squall" and "Robin Hood".

"It’s my heritage, my personal heritage," said Scott about working at Pinewood and Shepperton. "I film everywhere in the world and I think all things considered what we have to offer here, is as good as anything you’re going to get in Hollywood."

"Prometheus" re-teamed Scott with several long-time collaborators, including production designer Arthur Max ("American Gangster"), Oscar-winning costume designer Janty Yates ("Gladiator"), Oscar-winning editor Pietro Scalia ("Black Hawk Down") and set decorator Sonja Klaus ("Kingdom of Heaven").

The initial draft of "Prometheus" was written by Jon Spaihts ("The Darkest Hour") from an idea by Scott, with Damon Lindelof ("Star Trek") and Scott developing the final screenplay.

"While 'Alien' was indeed the jumping off point for this project," said Scott, "out of the creative process evolved a new, grand mythology and universe in which this original story takes place.

"The keen fan will recognize strands of Alien’s DNA, so to speak, but the ideas tackled in this film are unique, large and provocative. I couldn’t be more pleased to have found the singular tale I’d been searching for, and finally return to this genre that’s so close to my heart."

Scott’s original 1979 "Alien" feature, starring Sigourney Weaver was inspired by the 1958 sci-fi horror movie "It! The Terror From Beyond Space",

scripted by Dan O'Bannon from a story by Ronald Shusett, starring Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto.

"Alien" was produced through Brandywine Productions and distributed by 20th Century Fox, with producers David Giler and Walter Hill making significant revisions and additions to the script.

The original 'Alien' creature was designed by Swiss surrealist artist H. R. Giger, while concept artists Ron Cobb and Chris Foss designed the human aspects of the film.

Scott's "Alien" received an Academy Award for 'Best Visual Effects', in addition to a Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation'.

"Alien" was also inducted into the US National Film Registry of the Library of Congress in 2002 for historical preservation as a film which is "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

The success of Scott's film, spawned an "Alien" media franchise of novels, comic books, video games and toys, as well as three sequel and two prequel big screen features.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek Ridley Scott's "Alien"..