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The Fall and Rise of Rome

by Jeff - @StudioTembo
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The Fall and Rise of ROME?

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HBO is littered with wonderful, brilliant, and engaging shows that were cancelled before their time. Production costs, controversies, and countless other factors resulted in shows like Carnivàle, Life’s Too Short, Luck, and Deadwood to be lost to the annals of time (and the wondrous bounty of HBOGO and DVD).

But few shows have left the gaping, sucking chest wound of sorrow created by the cancellation of ROME. In the 7 years since the series ended, HBO has worked tirelessly to replace the dramatic epic. Of course we have Game of Thrones, and no one is complaining, but ROME paved the way for George R.R. Martin’s masterpiece, and GoT has proven to HBO executives that an expensive overseas historical epic can work.

ROME saw its glory days come to an end in 2007 as a result of extremely high production costs, overseas location, and massive cast concerns: all the ingredients used to make GoT one of the very best shows on television today.

Bruno Heller, the creator of ROME, the Mentalist, and the upcoming DC Comics TV series Gotham (starring Ben McKenzie), said in a recent interview,

“ROME was the first show HBO shot out of country with a large budget that was period. The mistakes we made are the mistakes Game of Thrones learned from. Many of the directors and producers are the same.”

And the directors and producers are not alone. Ciarán Hinds was tapped to portray Mance Rayder, and Tobias Menzies, ROME’s Marcus Brutus, was Edmure Tully.

ROME’s main stars, Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, and James Purefoy got a nice little bump after their stunning performances. McKidd went on to star in the short lived Journeyman, and a regular spot on Gray’s Anatomy. Purefoy bounced through a few TV series’ and had a spot in John Carter. Stevenson went on to comic book glory, replacing Thomas Jane (HBO’s Hung) as the Punisher, and joining the hammer swinging God of Thunder, as Volstagg on the big screen.

The power of ROME cannot be disputed, and even HBO’s executives understand what slipped through their fingers. After the movie rumors died down, ROME’s future seemed fairly etched in stone. With an expansive budget, and huge cast, it would be a longshot to think HBO would want to revive this classic.

“…this business is so much about what’s next. It’s difficult to get things going again just because they should be,” Said Heller. “Never say never. Funnily enough, the sets are still there. They look very beautiful and are ready to go [sic].”

There isn’t much in the way of hope that we could see a triumphant return of ROME to the Home Box Office, but Heller isn’t ruling it out. It is almost certain that McKidd and Steveson would return, even if the show was more of a “reboot” than a continuation, and Heller has stated that “(ROME) was the great love of my life.”

We know the formula can work now that GoT is raking in the fans. ROME laid out the path for Game of Thrones, not unlike the Appian Way laid out the path for the modern road. Now that HBO has sorted out the bumps, I imagine they could find a way to make ROME work.

Phillippi

I think the only way HBO would seriously consider excavating the ruins of this once mighty show, would be if the fans could show a real interest in returning to the stories of Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo. Here’s hoping! With movies like Pompeii, 300: Rise of an Empire, and Hercules all hitting the public eye this year, maybe its time HBO take another look at one of the most compelling shows they let slip away.

I am planning to do my part and stream the entire series this weekend! Or you can own it yourself [amazon_link id=”B0028RXXE8″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]on DVD & Blu-Ray[/amazon_link].  Salute!

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14 comments

Ken M February 26, 2014 - 7:58 am

I agree with timmy t. As much as I loved Rome and would be thrilled on its return if HBO is serious about remaking I, Claudius then I don’t see Rome coming back. I can’t see two competing shows in the general historic time period. I would certainly watch both. And remember Deadwood creator David Milch went to HBO originally with a series on Nero. Can we revive that? That would have been a series. The story I read indicated HBO turned down Milch because they already committed to Rome.

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timmy t February 24, 2014 - 11:11 pm

Not mentioned in that Entertainment Weekly piece is perhaps another reason I don’t see HBO bringing Rome back – there’s another Roman HBO/BBC project that’s been in the pipeline for a few years now, I, Claudius. I have no idea where it’s at but it’s based on the historical novel by Robert Graves and gives “a glimpse into the power, madness, murder, backstabbing and debauchery that was part and parcel of ruling-class Rome. It is seen through the eyes of Claudius, who was content to be the butt of jokes and hide his brilliance behind a stutter and a limp. Because he was never perceived as a threat, Claudius was never poisoned as many others in his circle were. Claudius outlasted them all, and became emperor in 41 A.D.”

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Chris Larrondo February 24, 2014 - 11:47 am

I simply loved this show I wish it was more that rumor that they were thinking about bringing it back.

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Intelligent Commenter February 24, 2014 - 11:24 am

I think the success of Spartacus also shows that people are intrigued by this time period.

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Nahojism February 24, 2014 - 3:30 am

Movies of TV shows never work out. Either make a new season or just let sleeping dogs lie.

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Jef Dinsmore February 23, 2014 - 6:53 pm

Good thing DVDs don’t wear out because I’ve watched my set many times and I enjoy ROME every time.

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SerTahu February 23, 2014 - 4:42 pm

I haven’t seen Rome (well, not yet), but if they were to do a continuation, or even a reboot, I would definitely watch it.

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Sharyn February 23, 2014 - 4:20 pm

I already own the DVDs, and still have Rome marathons from time to time!!! Would LOVE to see more of Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo!!! Bring it back!!! I was looking forward to seeing the time period with the birth of Jesus, and later Pilate, etc… Please bring it back. PLEASE!!!!

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Adam August 17, 2015 - 4:02 am

Um, didn’t Vorenus die at the end of season 2?

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ScooterGirl June 27, 2016 - 5:22 pm

The birth of Jesus didn’t even cause a ripple in the Roman world, and neither did his death. To the Romans he was just another minor criminal, one of thousands, in a far off province. It was until years later that the new cult of Christianity began to gain traction and thus Roman attention.

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Doonerbandit February 23, 2014 - 2:19 pm

THIRTEEN!!!

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Masturbeertje February 23, 2014 - 1:47 pm

Should be a prequel then; the fans will know why.

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@IRNerdivore February 23, 2014 - 1:09 pm

This may have been one of my all time favorite shows. I would love to see more Rome, either on HBO, or the big screen!

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Svenska Lejon February 23, 2014 - 12:50 pm

Please bring it back, best show ever!

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