Almost 10 years after its finale, Ray Stevenson revealed what the original Rome ending and final Titus Pullo scene was supposed to be.

DEN OF GEEK
David Crow
March 17, 2017

Before there was Spartacus or The Tudors, Vikings or The Borgias—before Game of Thrones—there was Rome. As the first salvo of a legion of period epics and historic fictions on premium cable, Rome was one of the most ambitious gambles ever ventured by HBO with a first season cost that was upwards of $100 million due to pricy sets (the biggest in the world), principal photography in Italy, and the usage of old fashioned 35mm cameras.

The series proudly attempted to tell a sort of an “Upstairs, Downstairs” drama between Rome’s patrician class and its plebian underbelly, making it something of a semi-prequel to I, Claudius as we witnessed the rise and fall of Gaius Julius Caesar (Ciaran Hinds), and then the many years of warfare between the various parties in the wake of his death—including a young Octavian (first Max Pirkis, then Simon Woods)—as well as Rome’s transition from republic to empire.

It was a grand effort… perhaps too much so. Indeed, the popular cult series only ran for two seasons, abruptly ending 10 years ago in 2007. While there was some second-guessing and regret after the ratings for Rome season 2 increased, the die was already cast and that season concluded the story with Octavian becoming Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, and his quiet plebian right-hand, Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson), taking on the responsibilities of raising a son since his best mate Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) lies presumably in the grave.

“Bruno [Heller] once did outline a story that he was going to start the whole series with,” Stevenson said. “An 88-year-old Pullo going down to the riverside by Vorenus’ tomb, or sarcophagus, pouring wine on it, taking a sword out while sitting there on the banks, looking at the glistening river, and committing suicide.

“And as he has his face hit the sand on the banks, a fish jumped out of the water, and the silver light on the fish caught the sword, which brought us right into that first battle with Lucius Vorenus and [Titus Pullo] where he breaks ranks.”


http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/rome/252090/hbos-rome-ending-was-originally-very-different

Ray Stevenson Talks Suiting Up For 'Volstagg' Role In THOR: THE DARK WORLD

COMIC BOOK MOVIE

By DCMarvelFreshman - 7/29/2013

With its release date just over three months away, Thor: The Dark World is gearing up for a massive marketing campaign starting next month, or rather later this week. But until then, Volstagg the Voluminous actor Ray Stevenson has talked a bit about returning to Asgard for the Alan Taylor-directed Marvel sequel while out promoting the Blu-ray/DVD release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

"Thor is a completely unique experience altogether. I had to wear this vest that contained tubes pumping ice water on to my torso, otherwise my costume would have killed me!" he admitted. "First there was the big foam fat suit that went from my toes to my neck, then the costume on top of that, and then the big beard, then the wig, then I had to go and fight!"

"The truth is, I am really passionate about these action roles. I don't want to appear like some big bouncer standing on the door, I like to bring more to it and for me, that is the best part of the industry," he said. "I've worked with Alan Taylor before and he has a heart the size of planet that he wears on his arm and I'm forever indebted to him." Ray Stevenson was asked again if he'll reprise his Asgardian warrior role in Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron. "I haven't heard a thing!!" he said. "But I'd be absolutely delighted!! I'm under option with Marvel but hopefully there will be a few more Avengers films to come, I'm thinking three or four."

Read more at http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/MarvelFreshman/news/?a=84475#Gb4Pxs1ig5j51C7V.99 

RAY STEVENSON: How a Gay Gangster on ‘Dexter’ Inspired A Norse God in ‘Thor’ (WALL STREET JOURNAL) By Alexandra Cheney

Isaac Sirko was a gay Ukrainian gangster who sacrificed his life for the man he loved. In the seventh season of “Dexter,” actor Ray Stevenson portrayed the mobster, in a role he called “not just being the villain of the week.”

“I didn’t try to lionize it or make it grandiose,” Stevenson said. “I think love is love and Isaac had a full deep meaningful relationship but he still had the propensity to be a stone cold killer.”

Stevenson said he borrowed some of that “tough alpha man” that defined Isaac to reprise his role as the warrior Volstagg in “Thor: The Dark World,” the sequel to the 2011 Marvel Entertainment film.

The film was shot on location outside London. Stevenson chatted with Speakeasy about his character, the health of Asgard, and who Thor, the God of Thunder, played by Chris Hemsworth, really is.

Speakeasy: Has Asgard lost its luster in “Thor: The Dark World”?

Ray Stevenson: In the first “Thor” Asgard had this tremendous peace among the 9 realms. They were riding at the heights. Everything is working and looking as it should be. In this one, the realms are being whipped up into various rebellions. There is a darker malignant force out there and we are in the process of engaging in long protracted skirmishes and battles. The luster and shine of the city has been taken off and it all leads to a huge assault, an attack at the heart of Asgard. It could be completely wiped out, the stakes are a lot higher.

And what do we see of Volstagg?

He’s great on a battlefield. He is one of the warriors three and doing what they do, their time is spent fighting on many different fronts. They’re not always fighting together. Volstagg is struggling, he has a brood, they are fighting for hearth and home as much as for the idea of Asgard itself. That’s where he has trouble.

What do you mean?

He’s all too aware of how potentially threatening this new enemy is on both the home front and the battlefield.

READ MORE: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/05/22/how-a-gay-gangster-inspired-a-norse-god-in-thor/

Ray Stevenson Talks Season 7 of DEXTER, How He Got Involved, Playing the Villain, Working on a Secretive Show, Plus THOR: THE DARK WORLD & DIVERGENT by Christina Radish (COLLIDER) Posted: May 15th, 2013 at 7:48 am

Ray Stevenson is a great actor.  So, when I heard that he would be playing the villain on Season 7 of the Showtime drama series Dexter, I was very intrigued, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.  As Isaak Sirko, the ruthless leader of the Koshka Brotherhood, Stevenson gave a complex and layered performance of a character where there was certainly more than meets the eye.

During this recent exclusive interview with Collider, actor Ray Stevenson talked about how he came to be a part of Dexter, how he wished his character could have gotten Dexter (Michael C. Hall) on a kill table, that he loved working with such a great cast and crew, what it was like to work on such a secretive show, and just how much more villainous a stone cold killer can get when you break his heart.  He also talked about being a part of the Marvel universe as Volstagg in the Thor films and the challenges of wearing such an extensive fat suit, as well as what appealed to him about Divergent, in which he’s playing Marcus.  Check out what he had to say after the jump, and be aware that there are some spoilers.

Collider:  How did you come to be a part of Dexter?

RAY STEVENSON:  Scott Buck, who’s the showrunner, had worked with Bruno Heller on the series Rome, that I did, and the call came out of the blue.  I knew that it was a very privileged thing to get offered this nine episode lead baddie, as such.  When he started telling me about it, and said he was this Ukrainian mob boss whose business associate friend gets killed and that he’s worst than any other hit man, I was like, “Yeah, okay.”  But then, when he told me the reveal, I went, “Oh, god, Scott, I’m in!” 

When you’ve got gangsters who are homosexual, it always has to be something deviant to them.  This guy was a stone cold killer, but there always has to be some perverse deviance about a gay gangster guy.  This guy didn’t have that.  His heart was ripped out.  His heart had been broken and that’s why he went after Dexter.  So I said, “Okay, Scott, now you’ve got my attention.  Yes, I want to do it!”  

I was delighted at the chance.  It was courageous of them to go for it, and I was very happy not to end up on Dexter’s table.  At one point, I said, “What if I got Dexter on his table and put the knife across his lips, and then go, ‘You’re too pretty to kill’?”  And then, you could just see me leave on my G4 and not know where he’s going.  But, it was a beautiful ending.  Working with Michael [C. Hall] was just brilliant.  He’s the real deal.  Everybody is.  It’s an amazing crew and cast.

Was the unexpectedness of the character what ultimately appealed to you most?

STEVENSON:  It was really lovely, the way they went for it and allowed Dexter’s character to find somebody, in the weirdest place, that he could actually talk to about the detachment of being a cold serial murderer, but who is really scared about being emotionless in other aspects of his life.  They took some bold choices, which is a testament to the series itself. 

Had you been aware of how important the villains are to each season of Dexter? 

STEVENSON:  I don’t get a chance to follow TV.  I try to catch whatever series is out there, every now and then.  So, they opened me up to this, and then I realized how important it was to have this nine episodic piece.  The character played such a pivotal role in that season.  He wasn’t just in for one episode, or two or three episodes, as a villain-of-the-week sort of thing.  That’s when it dawned on me.  It was a tremendous opportunity.  I just loved it, and I loved working on it. 

READ MUCH MORE:  http://collider.com/ray-stevenson-dexter-thor-2-divergent-interview/

Ray Stevenson & Elisabetta Caraccia greet fans at GI Joe premiere

Alex12SPTV

Ray Stevenson and partner at G. I. Joe Retaliation Premiere

Pop Candies

Ray Stevenson reveals his panic after flooring Hollywood hardman The Rock during filming for GI Joe: Retaliation (DAILY RECORD)

ACTION hero thought he'd broken champion wrestlers nose 

when stunt for fight scene in latest movie went badly wrong.

MOVIE star Ray Stevenson has revealed his panic after accidentally flooring Hollywood hardman The Rock.

The 48-year-old, who featured in hit TV series Rome, thought his uppercut might have broken the champion wrestler’s nose.

The two heavyweight actors had been swapping punches for a fight scene in big-budget romp GI Joe: Retaliation, which also stars Elodie Yung and Adrianne Palicki.

Ray has told how, even though the bruising tussle with The Rock – whose real name is Dwayne Johnson – was as tightly choreographed as a dance, slips still happened.

He said: “The worst moment was when we filmed the first big fight. I spun round and accidentally caught him right across the bridge of his nose.

“I drew blood and I was worried. But Dwayne just shrugged it off. He was great about it and just said, ‘These things happen.’”

Ray, who was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, joins the GI Joe film franchise as explosive villain Firefly, while The Rock plays Roadblock, a vital member of the GI Joe elite fighting force.

Ray accepted from the start that bumps and bruises were inevitable during the creation of realistic action sequences.

He said: “Dwayne and I went for it and we did clip each other a couple of times.

“His arms are the size of my thighs and, when he blocked my fist, it was like hitting an iron bar. I was black and blue with bruises.”

READ MORE: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity-interviews/ray-stevenson-reveals-floored-holywood-1782598

Ray Stevenson (video) Thor The Dark World, The Avengenrs 2 & Punisher (G. I. JOE RED CARPET)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yX984jqWWG4#!

Tom Hiddleston talks Loki, Ray Stevenson on Volstagg Tuesday, 19 March 2013 (FLICKERING MYTH)

After menacing the God of Thunder and Earth's Mightiest Heroes as Loki in Thor and The Avengers, Tom Hiddleston has become a firm favourite among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hiddleston is set to return to Asgard this year alongside Chris Hemsworth in the solo sequel Thor: The Dark World from director Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones), and speaking to Zap2It, the British actor has expressed his love for the God of Mischief, stating that he's happy to continue portraying Loki for as long as Marvel and the audience will have him:

"It is a rare thing to be connected to a character that people enjoy watching. I never expected it my wildest dreams. You don't dare sign up for that as an actor. All any actor can see is they might play a character that somehow ignites the public imagination and it is thrilling when you do. It is in good fun. The fun of playing Loki is the character itself constantly keeps people guessing. And he provokes a double-edged sentiment in the people who allegedly he has invested in, and who he cares about. As someone, who was then cast out as the black sheep of the royal family, whether he can be accepted into that fold is a question that remains to be answered. Just how dark and evil he has become is another question I hope the film will answer."

Meanwhile, at the premiere of G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Red Carpet News TV caught up with fellow Brit Ray Stevenson, who briefly spoke about returning as Volstagg in November's Thor sequel, along with Christopher Eccleston's (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) new bad guy Malekith the Accursed, and the possibility of the Warriors Three popping up in 2015's The Avengers 2:

READ MORE: http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2013/03/tom-hiddleston-talks-loki-ray-stevenson.html

Matthew Macfadyen, Luke Evans, Ray Stevenson, Logan Lerman - Behind the scenes filming THE THREE MUSKETEERS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4kh-gqEJ6w

I SWEAR, WE WERE INFINITE...

Theo James Cast As Four In ‘Divergent’; Kate Winslet, Aaron Eckhart, Ray Stevenson And Miles Teller Also Starring By MIKE FLEMING JR | Friday March 15, 2013 @ 10:00am PDT (DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD)

BREAKING: The male lead in Summit‘s Neil Burger-directed adaptation of Divergent has gone to Theo James, currently the star of the CBS series Golden Boy and whose credits include Downton Abbey and Underworld: The Awakening. He will star opposite The Spectacular Now‘s Shailene Woodley. The film’s set in a futuristic world where people are herded into factions based on their personalities. Woodley plays Tris Prior, who is deemed a “divergent” who doesn’t fit into any group and who learns she and other divergents are going to be destroyed. She needs to find out what makes these divergents so dangerous. James’ character Four is her intense instructor and one of the leaders of the Dauntless faction. For James, it’s a potential star-making role.

Summit is also closing deals with Kate Winslet, Aaron Eckhart, Ray Stevenson and Miles Teller. They will join Jai Courtney, Zoe Kravitz, Ansel Elgort and Maggie Q in the cast. Erik Feig and Gillian Bohrer are overseeing for Lionsgate. The film is based on Veronica Roth’s bestselling novel, and Vanessa Taylor and Evan Daugherty wrote the script. Production begins April in Chicago.

READ MORE: http://www.deadline.com/2013/03/theo-james-cast-as-four-in-divergent-kate-winslet-aaron-eckhart-ray-stevenson-and-miles-teller-also-starring/

Ray Stevenson: ‘Dexter’ receives 5 nominations in 4 categories for the 39th Saturn Awards By Ste Taylor at 2:30 pm, February 21, 2013 - @stevenjtay (HYPABLE)

Showtime’s flagship show, Dexter, has received 5 nominations in the upcoming 39th Saturn Awards, but will Dexter hold off the competition?

The Saturn Awards are quite an exclusive group to be nominated for as The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror only recognise the very best television shows of these genres, and it’s with pleasure we can announce that Dexter has been nominated for a total of 5 awards.

Dexter has been a huge television favourite for 7 years now, and having already picked up 5 wins at the Saturn Awards since 2006, the crew behind Dexter are surely wanting to put their three year dry spell behind them after last claiming a Saturn Award back in 2009 for Julie Benz’s win in the Best Supporting Actress Role in a Television Series.

Dexter has been nominated for Best Cable Television Series, Best Television Actor (Michael C. Hall), Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Carpenter) and two nominations for Dexter have fallen in the Best Guest Starring Role in a Series, with Yvonne Strahovski and Ray Stevenson competing for that accolade.

And, with 5 nominations in the bag, surely Dexter will pick up at least one of these awards? It’s going to be tough, no doubt.


READ MORE: http://www.hypable.com/2013/02/21/dexter-receives-5-nominations-in-4-categories-for-the-39th-saturn-awards/

Ray Stevenson - Titus Pullo What A Shame

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNfy2umEdGs

Doozie Dozer

Michael C. Hall and Ray Stevenson at the Showtime 7th Annual Holiday Soiree (Dec 3) (DEXTER)

Michael C. Hall and Ray Stevenson attend the Showtime 7th Annual Holiday Soiree on December 3, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Check out some more photos after the jump and stay tuned for even more, later today.

READ MORE: http://www.dexterdaily.com/2012/12/photos-michael-c-hall-and-ray-stevenson.html

Ray Stevenson Guest Stars in Showtime's Podcast for Dexter Episode 7.09 - Helter Skelter (DREAD CENTRAL)

By The Woman In Black November 28th, 2012

Sadly, the best part of this season of "Dexter"--namely, guest star Ray Stevenson--has come to an end, but he showed up to record Showtime's podcast for Episode 7.09, "Helter Skelter," and we have it for your listening pleasure right here.

Check it out below as producer Scott Reynolds chats with Stevenson.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PK934tir2Lw

READ MORE: http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/61899/ray-stevenson-guest-stars-showtimes-podcast-dexter-episode-709-helter-skelter

Ray Stevenson: Episode Review: Dexter – “Argentina” JJ MILLER NOVEMBER 21, 2012 (BASED ON NOTHING)

With disappointment over last week’s “Chemistry” still lingering over me, much like a rain cloud does over a crestfallen cartoon character, I flipped on this week’s episode of Dexter (the somewhat cryptically titled “Argentina”) with little enthusiasm and even less expectation of a good episode of television. The episode begins much as any other episode has done in the past, with Dexter and his new girlfriend Hannah chatting over a nice breakfast about the many people they have killed and the ways in wh- Wait. Serial killers talking about homicide over breakfast as if it were yesterday’s news? My interest is piqued (well done Dexter writers), although I’m still not convinced of “Argentina’s” quality. How could I be? After all, it’s only five minutes into the episode.

Cut to Isaak Sirko, who is again out for blood. This time, he manages to fire a few shots in Dex’s direction while our hero(?) is casually picking up his morning doughnuts. How rude. Luckily, Sirko only manages to assassinate a couple iced crullers as his aim seems to have grown slightly rusty during his abbreviated stint in the big house. After nearly losing his head at the doughnut shop, Dexter gets a call from his ex-wife’s parents who have been looking after his young son Harrison. This only serves to complicate Dexter’s life further, as Harrison must return to Miami due to unforeseen circumstances involving Dexter’s father-in-law and a wayward gallstone. Perhaps (definitely) even more unfortunate is the fact that both Astor and Cody, Dex’s step-children, will be accompanying Harrison on the visit. Despite the inconvenient nature of their arrival in Miami, including Astor and Cody in “Argentina” is a welcome connection to Dexter seasons past. For whatever reason, their presence gives the episode a sense of credibility and again I feel I’m being whisked away to the sunny, scary Miami haunted by the Ice Truck Killer.

As I’m being whisked away by these feelings of warm nostalgia, LaGuerta decides she really, really can’t leave well enough alone and decides to dig even further into the closed Bay Harbor Butcher murder cases. She still isn’t convinced her former beau, Sgt. James Doakes (who, lest we forget was also a member of Miami Metro Homicide) acted as the notorious murderer. Her incessant investigation has led her to some long forgotten marina records which unfortunately link Dexter to the BHB murders. She seems to have put all the pieces together and her discovery is looking like it is going to be the highlight of the episode when… BAM! Debra decides this week is the perfect time to tell Dexter she is in love with him.

Yes, you read that right. Debra has admitted to having romantic feelings for her serial killer brother, further proving theirs is the most dysfunctional brother-sister relationship of all time. Dexter, proving yet again he is world’s greatest compartmentalizer, decides this is the perfect time to go kill Isaak.

To be fair, after a revelation like that, you’d want to blow off some steam too. Can’t blame the guy.

Dex stalks Sirko all the way to a swanky bar, which seems relatively deserted. Curiosity gets the better of him and Dexter ends up bar-side with the very man who ruined his Boston Kremes earlier that morning. Again pushing the limits of his curiosity, Dex questions Isaak as to just why he would so casually venture into such a bar at such a time (when so many people want him dead). Isaak responds by casually asking Dexter to take a look around. He does.

It’s a gay bar.


READ THE REST!  http://basedonnothing.net/2012/11/21/episode-review-dexter-argentina/

RAY STEVENSON: ‘DEXTER’ PREVIEW: ISAAK GETS PERSONAL IN NEW “HELTER SKELTER” CLIPS by Kevin Fitzpatrick Yesterday (SCREEN CRUSH)

While last night’s all-new ‘Dexter‘ episode “Argentina” felt mostly like a relaxed, contemplative episode, next Sunday’s “Helter Skelter” will definitely live up to its name.  Unable to be talked out of his murderous vendetta against Dexter, Isaak (Ray Stevenson) next sets his sights on hurting Hannah McKay (Yvonne Strahovski)!  Will Deb be willing to help her brother out, following last night’s tense confession?  Watch the clips inside to find out!

A new day has finally dawned for ‘Dexter,’ as the series seems ot have found a renewed energy and purpose not seen for years.  Last night’s “Argentina” certainly proved that point, weaving together multiple stories from the current and season’s past, but with four episodes remaining in the season, is the spatter about to hit the fan?  It certainly looks that way given the below clips from upcoming episode “Helter Skelter.”


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JbB7cxdvVrw

READ MORE: http://screencrush.com/dexter-helter-skelter-preview/

Ray Stevenson: "Dexter" Episode 7.08, "Argentina" Synopsis (11/18/12 Airdate) (DREAD CENTRAL)

"Dexter" Episode 7.08, "Argentina" Synopsis (11/18/12 Airdate)

Fresh out of jail, Isaak (Ray Stevenson) renews his pursuit of Dexter (Michael C. Hall) while Quinn (Desmond Harrington) continues his power struggle with the Koshkas. Dexter tries to keep Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) in the dark about his relationship with Hannah (Yvonne Strahovski), but a surprise visit from Astor, Cody, and Harrison throws a wrench into his plans.

READ MORE: http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/61519/preview-clips-and-stills-dexter-episode-708-argentina?view=/gallery/dexter/dexter708_6x#gallery

G.I.Joe; Retaliation and Ray Stevenson, the bad guy again (Wrestling News Source)

Below is the latest trailer for GI Joe: Retaliation, which stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum, Ray Park and Ray Stevenson. The movie comes out on March 29th.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mwtH2CBeZ5M#!

Ray Stevenson: ‘Dexter’ Season 7 Episode 5 – Forget Trinity, It’s Dexter Vs. The Terminator by SEAN B. on OCTOBER 29, 2012 (BUZZ FOCUS)

In just a few episodes, Isaak Sirko (Ray Stevenson) is making a serious case for the title of Dexter’s Baddest Villain.

Season 7 got one episode older last night with “Swim Deep,” which managed to take the tension to levels unseen since Season 4.

Not wasting a minute with filler storylines, Episode 5 saw Deb continuing to figure out which way her moral compass points, Hannah (inadvertently) outing herself (to Dexter) that she was just as murderous as her partner Wayne and Stevenson channeling The Punisher as he went Max Payne on a bar full of rival gang members.

The squeeze is on for Dexter and it doesn’t appear as if even he is deft enough to elude everything closing in on him.


READ MORE: http://www.buzzfocus.com/2012/10/29/dexter-season-7-episode-5-forget-trinity-its-dexter-vs-the-terminator/