Variety is reporting that the Starz Network is working on a new television series entitled ‘Marco Polo’. The idea comes from Harvey Weinstein, and according to the producer the series “will be one of the most expensive shows ever done for pay TV.” By the sounds of it, the Weinstein Company, Starz, and Electus have all teamed up with some lofty ambitions to create a show that involves martial arts, strong characters, and will reportedly be filmed in China. Talking to Variety, Weinstein revealed a few details regarding the Marco Polo plot that will chronicle the “explorer’s early years in the court of Kublai Khan. “It’s a great challenge to…

In the wake of Warner Bros. moving forward with its film adaptation of Leonardo da Vinci’s young life, Universal is now producing its own biopic of the Renaissance artist and mathematician, Variety is reporting. The Universal spec, titled ‘Leonardo,’ which was written by Jonny Kurzman, will focus on da Vinci’s quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages. ‘Watchmen’ and ‘Hellboy’ producer Larry Gordon will produce the action-adventure ‘Leonardo,’ which will reportedly also show some of da Vinci’s mechanical creations in use. Lawrence Gordon Prods. Vice President Philip Westgren secured ‘Leonardo’ for Universal, and will oversee the project for the producers. ‘Leonardo’ is just the latest adaptation…

The acclaimed Starz original series ‘Spartacus’ has been renewed for a third season, Coming Soon is reporting. The green light comes over two months before the first sequel season, ‘Spartacus: Vengeance,’ is set to debut on Friday, January 27, 2012 at 10PM ET/PT. The second sequel season, which is currently untitled, is expected to begin filming in early 2012 in New Zealand. Carmi Zlotnik, Starz Media Managing Director, said “There is no denying the impact ‘Spartacus’ has had in the marketplace with fans across the globe…We are thrilled to come to an early agreement that allows the writers and talent to get right back to work in preparing for season…

Richard Levine and Lyn Greene, the co-showrunners and executive producers of the new Starz series ‘Boss,’ have already left the freshman political drama, Deadline is reporting. The former ‘Nip/Tuck’ executive producers oversaw the eight-episode first season of the show. The series premiered on October 21 and has garnered mostly positive reviews, particularly for Kelsey Grammer’s performance as ruthless Chicago mayor Tom Kane, who has a secret that can threaten his career. Starz is currently looking for a new writing executive producer to join Farhad Safinia, ‘Boss’s creator and current executive producer for Season 2, which was greenlit before the pilot even premiered. Other executive producers still on the show are…

Andy Whitfield, who is remembered for playing the title role in the hit Starz series ‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand,’ has died at age 39, the Huffington Post is reporting. The actor died on September 11 in Sydney, Australia, a year-and-a-half after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, his manager, Sam Maydew, has confirmed. Whitfield’s wife Vashti released statement, saying her husband was surrounded by his family when he died. “He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have helped carry him to this point.” She added he will be remembered for being an “inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband.” The…

Starz has announced that it has decided not to renew its historical-fantasy-drama series ‘Camelot’ for a second season, TVLine is reporting. The cable network confirmed the news in a statement, saying “Due to significant production challenges, Starz has decided not to exercise the option for subsequent seasons of Camelot.” The King Arthur legend show, which was produced in part with Starz’s production partners GK-tv, Octagon Films and Take 5 Productions, reportedly had scheduling conflicts with some members of the cast. Some of the actors featured included Joseph Feinnes, Jamie Campbell Bower and Eva Green. ‘Camelot’ premiered on April 1, 2011, to 1.13 million viewers and a 0.5 demo rating, making…

Dean Koontz’s 1985 mystery-suspense novel Twilight Eyes may be adapted by Starz as its first limited series, Deadline is reporting. The news comes after Chris Albrecht became the cable network’s CEO last year, and said the channel was going to start focusing on mini and limited series. The novel follows psychic Slim MacKenzie as he uses his gifts, Twilight Eyes, to hunt Goblins. The monsters are dangerous because they’re able to mimic humans. The limited series is reportedly in high development at Starz, even though Koontz has stayed away from television adaptations of his books over the last decade. The author’s former agent, Rob Lee, said Koontz originally wanted to…

Jeffrey Dean Morgan is in final negotiations to return to television for Starz’s upcoming drama series ‘Magic City,’ Deadline.com is reporting. Morgan, who rose to fame after appearing on the first season of ‘Supernatural’ and the second season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ will play the lead in the new series, which will feature 10 episodes in its first season. ‘Magic City’ is set in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Miami, and tells the story of multiple mobsters, politicans and entertainers in the city’s first prominent hotel. Morgan’s character builds the hotel as Fidel Castro takes control of Cuba and shuts Havana down as a gambling retreat. The show’s executive…

Starz released the latest teaser trailer for the upcoming series “Camelot” starring Jamie Campbell Bower (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Twilight Saga: New Moon) as King Arthur, Eva Green (The Golden Compass, Casino Royale) as Morgan and Joseph Fiennes (“Flash Forward”, Shakespeare in Love) as Merlin. Synopsis: In the wake of King Uther’s sudden death, the sorcerer Merlin has visions of a dark future and installs Arthur as king. But Arthur’s cold and ambitious half sister Morgan will fight him to the bitter end for control of the crown. Faced with the challenge of uniting a kingdom broken by war and steeped in deception, Arthur will…

Cancer-stricken actor Dennis Hopper has finally received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 27, Reuters is reporting. Even though the 73-year-old star of ‘Easy Rider’ has advanced prostate cancer and reportedly weighing around 100 pounds since getting sick, he still attended the unveiling with a smile. The frail Hopper appeared at the unveiling even though it’s also being reported that he’s too weak to continue chemotherapy. He did wear a bandage on his head and on his right hand though, which he attributed to a fall, which he said occurred when a paparazzi called out his name as he walked outside. Hopper, who last appeared on…