We had earlier reported that Anthony Hopkins joined the cast of Roland Emmerich's Gladiator series Those About to Die. The latest update is that the series commenced shooting at Rome's Cinecittà Studios. 

According to Variety, Those About to Die, which Emmerich also serves as the executive producer, revolves around gladiators in ancient Rome, and Hopkins will reportedly play Roman emperor Vespasian. 

Oscar-nominated screenwriter Robert Rodat, known for penning Saving Private Ryan, is confirmed as the showrunner for the series. Described as an epic historical drama, the official synopsis for the series says, “Those About to Die is set within the complex and corrupt world of spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition in ancient Rome featuring an ensemble of diverse characters across the many layers of Roman society where sports, politics, and business intersects and collide.”

Apart from Hopkins, Those About to Die stars Tom Hughes, Sara Martins, Jojo Macari, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Moe Hashim, Iwan Rheon, Liraz Charhi, Rupert Penry-Jones, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Eneko Sagardoy, Pepe Barroso, Gonçalo Almeida, Kyshan Wilson, and Alicia Edogamhe.