Tuning In

‘Spartacus’ on Starz

Starz is bringing “Spartacus” to life on the small screen, greenlighting a 13-episode series from executive producers Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Joshua Donen, the Hollywood Reporter says.

Steven S. DeKnight “Smallville”) has signed on as head writer of the hourlong series, set in the brutal world of gladiators, says Stephan Shelanski, executive vice president of programming for Starz Entertainment.

“Spartacus” marks Starz’s second original drama after “Crash.” The series will start production in New Zealand early next year, targeted for a summer debut on Starz and its suite of channels. The network touted the series’ production values; it’s estimated that the budget will be north of $2 million per episode.

“Spartacus” was inspired by a slave in the Roman Republic who in 73 B.C. led a slave revolt that grew to more than 120,000 fighters. Starz says the story will be re-imagined for what it calls a generation of TV viewers raised on graphic novels and cutting-edge production technology.

“This is not going to be at all like the 1960s Kirk Douglas film,” Mr. Shelanski says. “We didn’t want your typical sword-and-sandals. It’s going to be fun, fast-moving, full of action and interesting characters and have a little more depth to it than the 1960s film.”

Mr. Shelanski adds that the show will be produced specifically for a premium cable audience, with “R-rated” action and storytelling. The goal is to accomplish the graphic-novel look and feel of such movies as “300” and “Sin City.” As with “300,” producers also will be looking to cast “Spartacus” with a group of fresh-faced, unknown actors, THR says.

Beatles game to MTV

The Beatles are entering the digital age in a way few would have predicted: through a video game.

The single most important catalog in music, one that has never been licensed for any digital sales, is being opened up for MTV Games to create a video-game set for release just in time for the 2009 holiday season, Variety reports.

The partnership marks the first time Apple Corps, EMI Music, Harrisongs and Sony/ATV Music Publishing have agreed to present the Beatles’ music in a video-game presentation. Executives from Apple, MTV and the game developer Harmonix announced the game Thursday in London, giving few details beyond its existence.

Game developers will be able to select 45 songs from the Beatles catalog recorded during the band’s 1962-69 tenure within EMI for inclusion in the game.

“The game is in development,” says Apple Corps Chief Executive Officer Jeff Jones. “We don’t want to talk about how it will turn out a year from now. We’re in the process of creating the game.”

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono Lennon have been part of the conversations regarding the design, layout and rollout of the game.

Whitford returning

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