Jeff Mann says:
MAJOR CHANGES
The demon wolf that spawns the zombies is sent to Rome by Kandace, a Nubian High Priestess. She's the Star Wars emperor to Flavius' Darth Vader.
Lavinia, Roman slave, becomes Shabaka, Nubian slave. Kidnapped from Alexandria, Egypt when she was 10. She knows important information about zombies and their probable origin in her homeland because she apprenticed in a temple. She has dreams that go beyond making babies. She wishes to return to her home and continue her studies in the Temple of Isis.
Titus gets more personality, a sense of humor, increased likability and a back story. Titus and Flavius grew up together as children -- sort of like Moses and Yul Brynner. They had a major falling out when Titus became romantically involved with Flavius' sister. Titus was sent to work in the copper mines, then became a gladiator. The sister died mysteriously.
Claudia, the aristocratic niece of Flavius, is introduced. The story needed another strong female character, Someone for Shabaka to talk to. Claudia may or may not be Titus' daughter. Claudia, not Lavinia/Shabaka becomes infected from a zombie scratch and must be saved. This allows Shabaka to be more heroic.
Kandace, the Nubian High Priestess, another strong female character is introduced. She's the cause of the zombie nightmare in Rome and eventually supplies the solution. The zombies are entirely supernatural in nature. A result of prayer to Ishtar, a Mesopotamian Goddess of Love and Fertility. There is an actual zombie-esque prayer to this Goddess at least wikipedia thinks so.
The second act gets an Indiana Jones trip to a secret temple hidden in Alexander the Great's Tomb in Alexandria, Egypt. A cure is eventually given to Titus from Kandace. It is revealed that Kandace is Shabaka's mother.
The climatic ending takes place in the Colosseum between Zombies and Gladiators, as it should be. A grudge match occurs between Quintus and Flavius, then a final showdown between Flavius and Titus.
The zombies are made more zombie-like. Lost the Scooby-Doo red glowing eyes, gave them some wolf characteristics given their origin.
Victor becomes a major character that goes along for the ride. He is older, fatter, more experienced and funny, like Zero Mostel in "Funny Thing" without the singing.
Lucius does not turn traitor. I thought Quintus becoming an SOB was enough.
Given the supernatural nature of zombies and the cure, Drusis role gets reduced. His name is changed to Galen. Drusis looks clever on paper but when its pronounced? I'm not too sure.
Lost the brothel scene. I liked the zombies underwater idea so CAPTAIN ANATOLI, a former Turkish Pirate, ends up harpooned and dangles overboard like a big fish while he's a zombie.
The demon wolf that spawns the zombies is sent to Rome by Kandace, a Nubian High Priestess. She's the Star Wars emperor to Flavius' Darth Vader.
Lavinia, Roman slave, becomes Shabaka, Nubian slave. Kidnapped from Alexandria, Egypt when she was 10. She knows important information about zombies and their probable origin in her homeland because she apprenticed in a temple. She has dreams that go beyond making babies. She wishes to return to her home and continue her studies in the Temple of Isis.
Titus gets more personality, a sense of humor, increased likability and a back story. Titus and Flavius grew up together as children -- sort of like Moses and Yul Brynner. They had a major falling out when Titus became romantically involved with Flavius' sister. Titus was sent to work in the copper mines, then became a gladiator. The sister died mysteriously.
Claudia, the aristocratic niece of Flavius, is introduced. The story needed another strong female character, Someone for Shabaka to talk to. Claudia may or may not be Titus' daughter. Claudia, not Lavinia/Shabaka becomes infected from a zombie scratch and must be saved. This allows Shabaka to be more heroic.
Kandace, the Nubian High Priestess, another strong female character is introduced. She's the cause of the zombie nightmare in Rome and eventually supplies the solution. The zombies are entirely supernatural in nature. A result of prayer to Ishtar, a Mesopotamian Goddess of Love and Fertility. There is an actual zombie-esque prayer to this Goddess at least wikipedia thinks so.
The second act gets an Indiana Jones trip to a secret temple hidden in Alexander the Great's Tomb in Alexandria, Egypt. A cure is eventually given to Titus from Kandace. It is revealed that Kandace is Shabaka's mother.
The climatic ending takes place in the Colosseum between Zombies and Gladiators, as it should be. A grudge match occurs between Quintus and Flavius, then a final showdown between Flavius and Titus.
The zombies are made more zombie-like. Lost the Scooby-Doo red glowing eyes, gave them some wolf characteristics given their origin.
Victor becomes a major character that goes along for the ride. He is older, fatter, more experienced and funny, like Zero Mostel in "Funny Thing" without the singing.
Lucius does not turn traitor. I thought Quintus becoming an SOB was enough.
Given the supernatural nature of zombies and the cure, Drusis role gets reduced. His name is changed to Galen. Drusis looks clever on paper but when its pronounced? I'm not too sure.
Lost the brothel scene. I liked the zombies underwater idea so CAPTAIN ANATOLI, a former Turkish Pirate, ends up harpooned and dangles overboard like a big fish while he's a zombie.
