Swords and sand epics may go in cycles, but after the success of Spartacus on Starz, it’s no wonder the channel would say yes to a prequel.

The Associate Press is reporting that Andy Whitfield, who played the Gladiator hero in the Starz production will appear only briefly in the prequel. But, co-stars Lucy Lawless and John Hannah will be featured prominently in the six-episode prequel set to begin production this summer in New Zealand.

The second season of Spartacus was postponed due when Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He is reportedly responding to treatment.

The prequel, which is yet to be named, is set for a January 2011 debut.