Convention - SDCC 2024 : Those About to Die Panel - A Glimpse Into the Gladiatorial World of Ancient Rome

By Mulder, San Diego, Convention center, Ballroom 20, 25 july 2024

San Diego Comic-Con 2024 was abuzz with excitement as fans packed Ballroom 20 of the Convention Center on July 25, eagerly anticipating the panel for Peacock’s new historical drama series, Those About to Die. The event turned out to be one of the highlights of the convention, offering attendees an exclusive look at the monumental effort behind this epic show that brings the brutal and spectacular world of Ancient Rome’s gladiators to life.

The panel, moderated with fervor, featured an impressive lineup, including director and executive producer Roland Emmerich, known for his blockbuster films like Independence Day and The Patriot. Emmerich was joined by key cast members such as Iwan Rheon (Tenax), Sara Martins (Cala), Moe Hashim (Kwame), Jojo Macari (Domitian), Dimitri Leonidas (Scorpus), and Gabriella Pession (Antonia). The group collectively provided a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series, emphasizing the sheer scale and dedication required to authentically recreate Ancient Rome’s most notorious blood sport.

In a special featurette shown exclusively at the panel, Emmerich revealed his long-standing fascination with the Roman Empire and how it inspired him to undertake this project. I was always fascinated by the Roman Empire and always wanted to do something with sports, he explained. The director, who typically deals in large-scale disaster films, described this venture into television as a dream come true, offering him a unique opportunity to blend his love for history with his passion for epic storytelling.

The panelists emphasized the meticulous attention to detail that went into the series’ production. Rheon, known for his role in Game of Thrones, praised the craftsmanship of the sets, saying, We’ve had these amazing practical sets like the underbelly and the Coliseum. They’re the best sets I’ve ever worked on. This sentiment was echoed by the other cast members, who spoke about the immersive experience of filming on these elaborate, historically accurate sets that truly transported them to the heart of ancient Rome.

The series, based on Daniel P. Mannix’s book of the same name, delves into the darker, more corrupt side of Roman entertainment, focusing on the lives of gladiators, charioteers, and the political machinations of the time. The panel also touched on the show’s central themes, which explore the complexities of power, violence, and spectacle in a society where human lives were gambled with for the sake of public entertainment.

Outside of the convention center, Those About to Die continued to captivate audiences with an impressive real-life chariot race activation in the streets of San Diego. Fans had the chance to participate in a unique experience where they could join one of the show’s five factions and engage in a thrilling race, reminiscent of the deadly games depicted in the series. This activation not only brought a piece of Ancient Rome to modern-day San Diego but also allowed fans to feel the adrenaline rush of the races that were once the lifeblood of Roman entertainment.

Roland Emmerich, in particular, emphasized the series' potential to resonate with audiences on a deeper level, stating, “You fall in love with these characters and because of that, I think we’ve got something really special. The show’s exploration of the gritty and often brutal world of Ancient Rome, combined with its historical authenticity and epic storytelling, aims to carve out a unique niche in the crowded landscape of television dramas.”

As the panel concluded, it was clear that Those About to Die had made a significant impact at SDCC 2024. The cast and crew left fans with a sense of anticipation for what the rest of the series would offer, as well as a deeper appreciation for the history that inspired it. With all 10 episodes now available for streaming on Peacock, viewers around the world are invited to step into the ancient past and witness the spectacle, intrigue, and raw human emotion that defined one of history’s most infamous periods.

SDCC 2024 proved to be a fitting stage for Those About to Die, a series that not only celebrates the grandeur and grit of Ancient Rome but also honors the enduring appeal of historical epics. As fans continue to explore the world of the show, the panel at Comic-Con will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment in the series' journey to becoming a modern television phenomenon.

Synopsis : 
Rome in 79 A.D.: The center of the Roman Empire is the richest city in the world, and there's a massive influx of slaves from the expanding empire to take over the work. The Roman population - bored, restless and increasingly violent - is kept in line mainly by two things: free food and spectacular entertainment, in the form of chariot races and gladiatorial combat. The Circus Maximus races are controlled by four patrician-owned corporations, the Blue, Red, White and Green factions, and the shares of these four factions are Rome's most precious commodities. As the population's taste in entertainment became increasingly jaded and bloodthirsty, a stadium specially designed for gladiatorial combat was needed: the Colosseum. The sheer scale of the stadium, the gladiatorial and animal fights, and the underground world of flourishing betting were enormous. Underground, beneath the bleachers, thousands of people work and live, including thousands who will die for the games.

Those About to Die
Based on Those About to Die by Daniel P. Mannix
Written by Robert Rodat
Directed by Roland Emmerich, Marco Kreuzpaintner
Starring  Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins, Tom Hughes, Jojo Macari, Moe Hashim, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Emilio Sakraya, David Wurawa, Pepe Barroso, Gonçalo Almeida, Eneko Sagardoy, Lara Wolf, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Angeliqa Devi, Anthony Hopkins, Alessandro Bedetti
Executive producers : Roland Emmerich, Robert Rodat, Gianni Nunnari, Harald Kloser, Marco Kreuzpaintner, Oliver Berben, Herbert G. Kloiber, Martin Moszkowicz, Jonas Bauer, Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz, Charles Holland
Cinematography : Vittorio Omodei Zorini, Daniel Gottschalk
Production companies : AGC Studiosk, Centropolis Entertainment, Hollywood Gang Productions, Street Entertainment
Network : Peacock (United States),; Amazon Prime Video (International)
Release July 18, 2024 (United States, France)

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Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville