I’ve just heard the most amazing news. ‘Rome’, the HBO / BBC TV series that hit our screens a couple of years ago IS coming to the big screen!!

If you’ve never seen Rome, then you are missing out. I might write another review of it if I get a chance. Along with Band of Brothers, it is the best (and most expensive) TV series ever made and was made by both the BBC in the UK and HBO in the US. The only reason it was stopped was due to the money it cost to produce. Only 2 seasons were made…. but more may come!

The series of 12 episodes cost $100 million with HBO paying $85m and the BBC paying the additional $15m. With effective film budget, they made an amazingly accurate, beautififul series which with immaculate attention to detail. The set was built in Italy and was the biggest ever made for a TV series and covered 5 acres! The crew was a staggering 350 but they sure did a good job. No wonder the studio want to make the most of what they have – as I assume the back-lot still exists? Anyone know the answer to that one?

MovieWeb.com has an interview with Ray Stevenson who played Titus Pullo in the TV series of Rome and they talk to him now…

Click here to read what he said….

“While talking with actor Ray Stevenson about the upcoming Punisher: War ZoneRome movie, which is based on the popular HBO series of the same name. The film is definitely happening, and is in the process of being written at this very moment. Here is what Ray had to say about it:

Is the Rome movie still moving ahead?

Ray Stevenson: Apparently so. It is no longer a smoke and mirrors rumor. The script is in full development. As you are probably aware, this is a pretty strange process. We could go into production in a year, or it could be as quick as six months. Who knows? It will happen. At least it is no longer a rumor. From what I have heard, they are nearing the end of script development. We shall see. We shall see.

How excited are you to go back and play Titus all over again.

Ray Stevenson: I can’t wait to dust off the cobwebs of old Pullo. The guy is going to come in with a high body count. I love Pullo. I love him to pieces. I had such a great time playing him. And I got to do it in Italy and Rome. He is very special to me. He is a very special part of my history. I was very blessed to get that part.

Do you think the movie will go even further than the TV series. I mean, you were able to get away with quite a bit on HBO. Will it be more of a brutal experience? Or do you think it will be more drama based?

Ray Stevenson: That is a very interesting question. You have to ask Bruno Heller. Bruno is the one writing the movie, thankfully. I don’t think anybody else could write the movie. It will be Bruno at the helm. That guy has a soft spot for Pullo and Vorenus. I don’t think he will let the ball drop. I don’t think he will disappoint. He never pulled his punches with the hard drama or the social status, or the action sequences. He put full honesty into the characters. I completely trust him, and I can’t wait to read his script once it materializes. DVD release, we got him to talk more about the impending ”

They go on to talk about the release date is looking like 2010. The sooner the better. It is SO good! And it’s not a remake! Yippee!!