Many a 'Spartacus' fan were both saddened and invigorated by the announcement that the hit Starz series would end its run with the final 10-episode season 'Spartacus: War of the Damned,' but their may yet be hope for the world created by show-runner Steven S. DeKnight.  New reports suggest that Starz may be developing a spin-off of the blood-soaked series, to center on Todd Lasance's upcoming portrayal of Julius Caesar!  Will the 'Spartacus' universe live on after all?

Liam McIntyre and Starz' bad-ass portrayal of 'Spartacus' may come to an end with the 10-episode 'Spartacus: War of the Damned,' premiering January 25 2013, but the story may not end there.  According to Deadline, Starz is kicking around the prospect of developing a spin-off series to follow the rise of Julius Caesar, as portrayed by Australian actor Todd Lasance in the upcoming season.

If Starz opts to proceed with the spin-off, executive producer Robert Tapert would take the helm while 'Spartacus' creator and show-runner Steven S. DeKnight develops Starz' sci-fi drama 'Incursion.'  Lasance's Caesar will be introduced in the coming season as a subordinate to primary villain Marcus Crassus (Simon Merrells), though historically speaking there was no evidence Caesar had any involvement in the Servile Wars that spotlighted Spartacus' rebellion.

A Julius Caesar spin-off would mark the next step in a fragmented history for the franchise, which followed up its first season 'Blood and Sand' with prequel mini-series 'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' in order to allow star Andy Whitfield time to recover from leukemia.  When Whitfield's health declined once more, Starz moved forward with star Liam McIntyre in the title role for 'Spartacus: Vengeance,' before opting to end the series with 'Spartacus: War of the Damned.'

What say you?  Would you be interested to see a Julius Caesar spin-off to 'Spartacus?'  Could any of the original stars appear?

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