Starz Considering ‘All Options’ for Post-Whitfield ‘Spartacus’

Plans for the show include replacing star Andy Whitfield, who has had a recurrence of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Starz is considering "all options" for "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" after the show's star Andy Whitfield bowed out due to a recurrence of cancer.

Whitfield first announced that he was being treated for non-Hodgkins lymphoma in March. Originally, doctors gave Whitfield an optimistic diagnosis. Starz initially dealt with Whitfield's illness by producing a prequel mini-series, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena."

After a recurrence of his cancer, Whitfield announced his withdrawal from "Spartacus" to resume treatment Sept. 17. 

Monday, in response to an article in the Hollywood Reporter that said Starz was considering replacing Whitfield with another actor, a spokesperson for the network told TheWrap:

"It's all very up in the air. I do know that we've been considering all options and we've received encouragement from andy to do it."

"Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" is scheduled to premiere in Jan. 2011. 

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