Written by Kianna Best on Jul 19, 2024. Posted in Production News

Rome shot gladiator series Those About to Die premiers

Those About to Die premiered yesterday internationally on Amazon Prime Video. The gladiator series starring Anthony Hopkins, Iwan Rheon and Sara Martins is developed by Robert Rodat, and directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner. The new series is based on the novel of the same name by Daniel P. Mannix.

For the Rome set gladiator series, Those About to Die set up at historic Cinecittà Studios, known for their involvement with Roman Holiday, Ben-Hur, and Cleopatra. Italian co-production designer Laura Pozzaglio, alongside Johannes Muecke and their team drew inspiration from archaeological findings in a number of key Italian cities, including of course Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Ercolano, and Oplontis.

Set during the times of ancient Roman gladiatorial competitions. Those About to Die is an epic drama exploring the violence of the battles and the chariot races. Amidst the action, the film also delves into the corrupt world that shadows the high octane spectacle and the dirty business of the entertainment.

Prime Video’s presence in Italy continues to grow through their involvement with new Original and exclusive projects shot on location. At the Prime Video Presents event held in Rome this week, the streamer were given the opportunity to unveil the first looks of projects such as Citadel: Diana, Costiera, and the new seasons of The Bad Guy, Dinner Club and Sono Lillo.

Rome has been the setting for many other productions over the past year, including Netflix’s One Day, and the relocation of Emily in Paris for season four. Filming in Rome is easily and attractively facilitated with the 40% tax credit available to international film, for a maximum EUR 20 million per year. To benefit local talents and overall screen industry, this incentive must be allocated through an Italian executive producer, and the credit is only accessible for 75% of the total production costs incurred in Italy.

Images courtesy of Reiner Bajo/Peacock