Bruno Heller’s Rome lasted for just two seasons on HBO, despite the fact that it generated relatively strong ratings for the network. It was the overwhelming cost of the show that apparently led to its early demise, even with the BBC on board as co-producers. With a budget of over $100 million, Rome was essentially on par with a major Hollywood feature film… so why not just turn it into a big screen blockbuster anyway?

Development is indeed underway on a movie continuation of Rome, without the involvement of HBO. We first started hearing rumours of a Rome movie back in 2008, and since then, it has solidified into a very real proposition. This week EW’s Hollywood Insider reports that Bruno Heller has finished writing a script and that a company called Morning Light Productions will finance the film. The story will pick up four years later with Rome transitioning to the Empire period under Augustus, and expanding out into Germany. The next step is to find a director and a studio, and also to convince Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson to reprise their roles as Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo (although both are reportedly eager to give their characters some closure).

It’s still not a sure thing, but it’s clearly a lot more than just hopeful speculation at this point. Since the show felt like it never got a chance to realize its full potential, I think this is a great idea. Did you watch the first two seasons of Rome? Are you excited to see it continue on the big screen?