At one point called Xerxes, and then known as 300: Battle of Artemisia, the prequel/sequel to the 2006 blockbuster 300 has gone by many different names. Now that the film is in the midst of production, though, it appears to have landed on an official title – 300: Rise of an Empire.
Obviously Warner Bros. wanted to keep the 300 connection alive in terms of titling, since most will jump at the opportunity to return to that world. While the film doesn’t star practically any members of the original’s principal cast, 300: Rise of an Empire does boast a story that runs concurrent to the events in the first movie.
Loosely based on the Battle of Artemisium, 300: Rise of an Empire will feature the naval section of a battle between the Persians and the Greek. During the battle, the Persians — led by Artemisia (Eva Green) — were making a second attempt at invading Greece, whilst another army, led by the god-King Xerxes, was advancing through Thermopylae. It was in Thermopylae that the events of 300 took place, a clever explanation as to why Gerard Butler and his 300 Spartans won’t be in the film.
The Rise of an Empire subtitle could be a nod to several of the film’s rumored plot points – including the Greek’s “rising” up to Persian attack or more likely Xerxes’ rise to power. While the film will focus primarily on the Battle of Artemisium, it will also serve as a prequel to 300 and establish the character of Xerxes before he becomes the self-proclaimed god-King. As we already revealed, Rodrigo Santoro will be reprising his role as Xerxes.
While Zack Snyder was initially pegged to direct this 300 sequel, his duties on Warner Brothers’ highly anticipated Man of Steel has kept him away from the project. Instead Noam Murro (Smart People) will be directing the sequel, but he will be working off a script written by Snyder and Kurt Johnstad (Act of Valor).
Along with Eva Green and Rodrigo Santoro, the 300: Rise of an Empire cast will feature a few relative unknowns including Animal Kingdom‘s Sullivan Stapleton as General Themistocles, the leader of the Greek army. Like with the first film Warners is presumably hoping to use the promise of insane action to lure in audiences rather than a cast of A-list stars.
However, it will have been nearly seven years since 300 when this sequel releases, which leaves us wondering if audiences are still interested in a return to hyper-stylized cinematic experiences. Films like Sin City and 300 pioneered a very specific style of filmmaking that was memorable at the time – but, after countless underwhelming copycats, may not generate quite as much interest in today’s movie-going audience.
300: Rise of an Empire releases in theaters on August 2, 2013.
Source: Warner Bros.
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Is it just me or do both titles sound like a direct to DVD sequel? I understand wanting to keep 300 in the title but I’m not sure if it’s necessary. But ah well, the title won’t effect how the film turns out.
Getting sick of seeing the word “Rise” or “Rises” in film titles. Rise of Cobra, Dark Knight Rises, Rise of the Lycans, Rise of the Machine, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Ugh.
Don’t forget: ‘Rise of your blood pressure’ or ‘Rise of your lunch.’
Rise of the Silver Surfer, Rise of the Guardians…
Rise and shine my little soldier, what do you want for breakfast?!
My mum, still a legend!
Waitaminute…written by Zack ‘SuckerPunch’ Snyder…and the joker who penned ACT OF VALOR?!?!!?
Oh, God.
Oh dear God.
*facepalm*
I for one am looking forward to this little beauty, just so I can say
“THIS IS SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”
I wonder if Vic ever screams, “This is SCREENRAAAAAAAANT!”
Let me guess… The white Greeks will be the good guys and the “ethnic” Persians will be the bad guys… I still liked 300 though.
lol so true!
SO greeks are now considered white? haha. buddy, im greek and many americans don’t consider us white. Anyway, why not have actual Greek actors portray greeks rather than people from the U.K.? Why is it that every movie based on greek history has brits playing as greeks? And why the british accent?
I think the accent is Scottish lol still brutal, maybe not enough Greek actors….Hollywood likes to make money so lets go with who is hot.
Well considering Santoro is Brazilian, they weren’t exactly going for ethnic authenticity in the casting.
Also, the title is misleading. This isn’t the rise of an empire. It already was an empire, and well before Xerxe’s time.
I just hope Persians aren’t as vilified as much as in the first one. Just imagine if they did that to an African race, or Jewish, or Chinese, or whatever. People probably wouldn’t stand for it.
300 had some really cool visuals, but the way it made a single race look was pretty disappointing.
What are you talking about some of the main folks killed in the Persian army were BLACK. It was basically the whites against the “minorities”…anyway as I said before, I liked it anyway, but like you I do hope for a little more gray area.
There weren’t many compared to the middle-eastern looking ones, and that could have been attributed to slaves or whatever.
In any case, my point was that the army/race as a whole wasn’t presented as African.
I like Snyder as a director, but as a writer? Sucker punch. I Doubt if this movie can succeed without the charisma of Butler and the visuals of Snyder.
THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION GALA
OCTOBER 25TH get tickets at http://www.commitmenttoacurela.org (must bid the night of the Gala)
TITLE OF THE ITEM – 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE MOVIE PREMIERE
Description of item
The battlefield has been silent since the original runaway hit 300 stormed theaters in 2006. Finally, the long-awaited sequel prepares to take up arms enter into battle Summer of 2013. So prepare for glory and don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the action including a trip to the star-studded European Premiere.
• 2 tickets to the European Premiere of the much-anticipated sequel to 300.
• 2 tickets to the star-studded movie premier after party.
• 2 Round-Trip Upper Class Virgin Atlantic Airline Tickets
• 3 Night Hotel Stay
• Official 300 poster signed by the Director, Producers and Cast.
• Goodie bag of 300 movie collectables.
• Release currently schedule for August, 2013. All dates subject to change.
with no offense,all of this movie is a totall lie.and they who made this film know the persians are so sensetive about their history.and this make them mad.read some book hitory
Went to Warner Bros. lot last night for a secret screening and was surprised when they told us that we were there to see 300. Film was phenomenal! Zack Snyder is awesome! Sorry you have to all wait to experience this one.