Screen Rant » 300

‘Hangover 3′, ’300′ Spinoff & ‘Pacific Rim’ Get New Release Dates

Sandy Schaefer — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:12:17 +0000

Warner Bros. has gone ahead and penciled in official theatrical release dates for a pair of new franchise installments: The Hangover Part III, which once again chronicles the inebriated escapades of The Wolfpack (played by Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms) – and the 300 spinoff, which is still tentatively being referred to as 300: Battle of Artemisia, but is expected to be released under a different title.

Meanwhile, the studio has gone ahead and moved Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim back a couple months. The Pan’s Labyrinth filmmaker’s throwback to Japanese giant monster sci-fi genre fare is now set to hit theaters on July 12th, 2013… which, ironically enough, is the same date it was originally scheduled for theatrical release, before Warner Bros. scooted it up to May 10th of next year.

It ...

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’300′ Spinoff Update From Rodrigo Santoro

Sandy Schaefer — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:08:30 +0000

There’s been some confusion about Warner Bros.’ upcoming 300 spinoff in recent months. The project has been referred to as both 300: Battle of Artemisia and 300: The Battle of Artemisium in the past, but is said to be currently without an official title. Similarly, some of the most recent casting updates have pegged the film as being a sequel, rather then a semi-prequel partially based on Frank Miller’s Xerxes comic book mini-series (as was long thought to be the case).

Curiously enough, we’ve also heard little to nothing (before now) about Rodrigo Santoro, who portrayed the aforementioned Persian leader in Zack Snyder’s 300 comic book movie adaptation. That finally changes today, as the Brazilian actor has confirmed that he is indeed in talks to reprise his part as Xerxes in the new 300 flick.

Santoro – ...

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’300′ Spinoff Lands ‘London Boulevard’ Actor in Lead Role

Sandy Schaefer — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:59:42 +0000

The Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad-scripted 300 spin-off has (at least temporarily) abandoned its previous title, 300: Battle of Artemisia, and is seemingly in a state of flux, going off previous reports that the filmmakers behind the project are still determining its position in relation to Snyder’s original Frank Miller comic book adaptation.

Sullivan Stapleton was the only actor officially attached to the project, but a new casting update has revealed that another lesser-known actor (whose starmeter is also slowly, but steadily on the rise) has likewise landed one of the film’s more pivotal parts. However, that hot-off-the-press scoop also refers to the project as a sequel to 300, which seems to contradict the long-held presumption that this flick is based primarily on Miller’s prequel comic series (titled Xerxes).

Jamie Blackley, a costar of such films ...

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‘Animal Kingdom’ Actor To Headline ’300′ Spin-off

Sandy Schaefer — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:32:32 +0000

Warner Bros.’ 300 spin-off has already changed names several times during pre-production. At first, it looked to retain the title of its inspiration (ie. Frank Miller’s comic book prequel, Xerxes) before it switched to 300: Battle of Artemisia. Thereafter, new word leaked out, claiming the film’s subtitle had been slightly tweaked to The Battle of Artemesium – and now, the latest reports on the project say it is simply untitled, for the time being.

Similarly, the new ancient world action flick was originally expected to be part prequel, but also part “mid-quel,” in the sense that a portion of the film was said to take place simultaneously with the Battle of Thermopylae in 300. Current consensus is that the project is “neither a prequel or a sequel and that the filmmakers are still figuring out ...

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Eva Green May Lead ’300: Battle of Artemisia’

Sandy Schaefer — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:55:17 +0000

Since director Zack Snyder is busy overseeing the rebooting of the Superman franchise, Man of Steel, he has passed the helmer duties on the in-development 300: Battle of Artemisia (which has apparently not been re-dubbed Battle of Artemisium, previous reports to the contrary) over to Noam Murro, an Israeli filmmaker whose sole feature-length directing effort to date is the 2009 indie dramedy Smart People.

Murro has so far proven competent, when it comes to casting the new Frank Miller comic book adaptation, having approached Joel Edgerton (Warrior) to headline the film as the famous Greek general, Themistocles. While the well-regarded actor passed on the opportunity to appear in Battle of Artemisia, the search is seemingly on for a leading man of equal caliber.

Heat Vision is reporting that Eva ...

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’300′ Spin-Off Titled ‘Battle of Artemisium’; Early Plot Details Revealed

Sandy Schaefer — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:46:52 +0000

Now that a 300 spinoff is (according to the film’s producers) an actual “work in progress,” director Noam Murro and his creative team are on the prowl for a cast – one which looks to include Rodrigo Santoro, who appears all-but-set to reprise his turn as the maniacal jewel-covered Persian leader, Xerxes, from director Zack Snyder’s 300 comic book movie adaptation.

The project was previously being referred to as 300: Battle of Artemisia. However, according to a new report, the title has been altered slightly to 300: The Battle of Artemisium.

For those not in the know: The Battle of Artemisium took place concurrently with the Battle of Thermopylae – which was portrayed in 300. “Artemisia”, in this case, refers to the name of a woman who essentially leads Xerxes to his doom (Adam ...

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Joel Edgerton Passes On ’300: Battle of Artemisia’ [Updated]

Sandy Schaefer — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:10:39 +0000

When the Frank Miller 300 comic book adaptation came out in 2007, no one really knew who director Zack Snyder or star Gerard Butler were. Jump to the present and those two are now both quite famous… and all the busier for it. Hence why they aren’t reuniting for the prequel/spinoff project, 300: Battle of Artemisia.

Noam Murro is attached to helm Battle of Artemisia, which producers Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari recently confirmed is indeed “a work in progress… as opposed to a year ago where it was just something we wanted to do.” Hence why the search is now on to secure a worthy leading man to play (essentially) the film’s protagonist: the famed Greek general and archon, Themistocles.

Vulture is reporting that Joel Edgerton has ...

Click to continue reading Joel Edgerton Passes On ’300: Battle of Artemisia’ [Updated]

’300′ Producers Talk ’300: Battle Of Artemisia’ & ‘Piranha 3DD’

Roth Cornet — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:16:27 +0000

It was announced in July that Noam Murro (Smart People) would take the directors chair on 300: Battle of Atemisia. A spin-off of Zack Snyder’s fantastical action-adventure 300, the film is based on Frank Miller’s Xerxes comic-book, which focuses on the the primary antagonist in 300 — Xerxes.

This weekend, producers Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari provided updates on the 300 sequel at the Los Angeles press day for their upcoming tale of Olympian Gods and legendary men, Immortals.

Neither confirmed an official production schedule for Battle of Artemisia, but Canton did say that:

“Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad, his writing partner, have killed it (the screenplay). They’ve done a tremendous job making a highly intelligent, epic story that will stand on its own. But it’s not a conventional sequel and, for what we do, that’s what ...

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Noam Murro up to Direct the ’300′ Spin-off

Sandy Schaefer — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 21:41:18 +0000

With Warner Bros. anxious to begin production on 300: Battle of Artemisia – and Zack Snyder being too busy rebooting the Superman franchise to oversee the 300 spin-off – the studio has been on a lookout for a replacement director since the beginning of this year (and before, most likely).

Guy Ritchie was briefly eyed as a potential helmer for the new project (which is based on Frank Miller’s upcoming Xerxes comic book) before last month, when two other gentlemen were floated as possibilities: Jaume Collet-Serrra (Unknown) and Noam Murro (Smart People).

According to Heat Vision, Warner Bros. officials were impressed enough with both filmmakers to go ahead and set Collet-Serra up with its live-action Akira project – while also selecting Murro to handle Battle of Artemisia. ...

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’300′ Spin-off Gets A Title & Directorial Candidates

Rob Keyes — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:51:59 +0000

Ever since 300 hit theaters in 2007 to bank over $450 million – without 3D and with an R-rating – there’s been plenty of interest from the studio and fans for a follow-up. Whether that be a prequel or a sequel, and who would direct said film remained the points of contention for quite some time, but now we’re finally nearing the path of forward development.

Two months ago we learned the 300 prequel would no longer be titled Xerxes and now we have a new title for the film. We also now know the two candidates Warner Bros. is looking at to take over the director’s chair from Zack Snyder.

Snyder launched his career forward and introduced the now-overused, stylized slow-motion action with 300 and fans were excited to ...

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’300′ Prequel Update: No Longer Titled ‘Xerxes’

Sandy Schaefer — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:32:55 +0000

With Zack Snyder’s much-buzzed about Superman: Man of Steel making headlines left and right as of late, it’s easy to forget that the filmmaker is associated with another high-profile franchise title: a semi-prequel to his breakout hit adaptation of Frank Miller’s 300 – also referred to as Xerxes.

Now 300 producer Mark Canton has shed some light on the project, including its development status, why Warner Bros. is reportedly reaching out to talents like Guy Ritchie to direct it, and the film no longer being titled Xerxes.

Canton confirmed to MTV that the 300 spinoff is no longer called Xerxes, but did not elaborate on the reason why – and only jokingly suggested it would be named Xerxes Plus instead. He also indicated that – despite rumors that Warner Bros. pushed Snyder ...

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The 10 Most Badass Movie Combat Units

Kofi Outlaw — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:47:58 +0000

The Expendables has pretty much punched its way into theaters on swagger alone, by collecting some of the most badass tough guys ever to appear onscreen into one unbeatable team. With names like Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Randy Couture, Dolph Lundgren, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Terry Crews, and Mickey Rourke all in one film (with appearances from Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger, no less), it’s hard to dispute that The Expendables is an impressive collection of name-taking ass-kickers.

To coincide with the release of this action movie extravaganza, we here at Screen Rant selected ten other great combat units who have left their knuckle prints and shell casings indented in the silver screen.

Before we get into the list, ...

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Zack Snyder Working on ‘Xerxes’ Script

Sandy Schaefer — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:51:16 +0000

Although graphic novelist Frank Miller’s Xerxes will not be published until next year, director Zack Snyder has already begun adapting the 300 “prequel” for the big screen – with the intention of eventually helming the film version himself.

Snyder began writing the Xerxes script with his 300 co-screenwriter Kurt Johnstad last week, though he admitted to the L.A. Times “… I don’t have a directing deal in place but we are writing it, so call that intent. If there was a crime they could probably convict me.”

300 was a surprise smash back in 2007, though its hyper-stylized visual design and glorification of violence in the name of duty and honor drew a mixed critical reception.

Its success did open the door for Snyder to bring the revered Watchmen comic book to the ...

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First Look At ’300′ Prequel Comic Book

Sandy Schaefer — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:37:04 +0000

Revered graphic novelist Frank Miller (Sin City) spoke to the L.A. Times this week about Xerxes – the prequel to his comic book-turned-movie hit 300 and a project which director Zack Snyder is already interested in adapting into a movie.

Xerxes will be released in six parts next year by publisher Dark Horse Comics (Hellboy), and will focus on the history of its titular character (played by Rodrigo Santoro in the film 300), the leader of the Persian empire whose army clashed with King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and his Spartan warriors during the Battle of Thermopylae – the focus of Miller’s original 300 comic book and Snyder’s highly-stylized film adaptation.

According to Miller, Xerxes will dwarf 300 in terms of sheer epic scale – or, as he put it:

“This is a more complex story. The story ...

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300 Getting the 3D Treatment?

Ben Kendrick — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:38:14 +0000

300 may be joining the growing list of re-released movies that studios are retrofitting with 3D technology, in order to capitalize on the perpetual Avatar buzz.

Recently, Zack Snyder revealed that Warner Bros. gave portions of 300 the 3D treatment in order to convince the director to utilize the technology in his upcoming animated film Legend of the Guardians - which is now a 3D animated film.

Speaking about the possibility of 3D CGI abdominal muscles coming to theater near you, Snyder said:

“I saw maybe like a ten-minute section that they’d just done. I haven’t seen the whole movie but they’re talking about doing the whole movie.”

Converting 300 into 3D is not an outright confirmation that movie-goers will get a three dimensional version of the film in the theaters, but it certainly seems plausible, considering the number of titles ...

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Story for 300 Prequel ‘Xerxes’ is Done

Rob Keyes — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:47:41 +0000

After the success of Zack Snyder’s epic rated-R action flick, 300, the question became “When can they do a follow-up and how can they make a story to build off of the success of the first?”

As we know, our Spartan heroes all meet their doom at the end with the exception of the narrator Dilios played by David Wenham. This would mean that in order to bring back Gerard Butler’s King of bad-ass and internet parodies, Leonidas, it would either have to be a prequel or include flashbacks to earlier battles with him involved. The first movie was about Dilios telling the story of Leonidas and his 300 men, so perhaps the next installment could do the same.

Since Butler is the poster-boy of the 300, he’d have to come back and fortunately for us ...

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Gerard Butler Is In For 300 Prequel/Sequel?

Rob Keyes — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:32:45 +0000

As far as we know, a second 300 movie is currently being worked on by Frank Miller, the creator and artist of the original 300 graphic novel. After the amazing success of the rated-R film back in 2007, it’s no wonder they want to pump out another one. Miller is interested, producer Marc Canton is interested and most importantly, Director Zack Snyder is interested… But only if Miller makes a graphic novel for it first.

The major question surrounding the project however, is when it would take place and who would it be about. Well, Gerard Butler is certainly interested in returning if it happens…

Just over a year ago at a Warner Brothers presentation for Watchmen, Zack Snyder revealed that the next movie would take place “between the Battle of Thermopylae and ...

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300 Sequel…A Zombie Flick?

Jacob Waldman — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:56:54 +0000

Marc Canton, the producer of 300, had a conversation with MTV Splash Page‘s Larry Carroll recently, where he confirmed speculation that a sequel to 300 is gaining momentum. Reiterating comments previously made by 300 director Zack Snyder, Canton confirmed that Frank Miller, the author behind the graphic novel upon which the movie was based, is currently working on a sequel graphic novel that will later be transposed into a screenplay.

Commenting on what must surely be a complicated process (bringing to fruition a film that has few remaining leading characters), Canton says that Snyder and Miller have already agreed upon the story’s setting. However, in previous public statements, Snyder has said that he will have no hand in the creation of the new story in novel form; that will be left entirely up to Miller.

One would think the situation is ...

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300 Sequel…301 or 300 Part 2?

Jacob Waldman — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:53:34 +0000

The perfect sequel contains new and old tricks that blend to make a new movie with characters and stories that genuinely deserved closure or extension. Zack Snyer, the man with the vision behind Watchmen and 300 understands this, and has the foresight to see when a sequel could strike gold, or when it will just strike bottom.

At a screening prior to the release of Watchmen: The Director’s Cut Blu-ray, Coming Soon reports, Snyder knew of no plans to make a sequel to Watchmen, and if a sequel were to manifest, he would not be a part of it. However, in regards to whether his previous film, 300, would be given a second installment, Snyder had good news to share with fans.

When released in 2007, 300 was the third biggest opening for an R-rated film ...

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Has Watchmen Killed ‘Comic Book Movies?’

Kofi Outlaw — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:51:36 +0000

Well the totals are in, and Watchmen is nowhere near to being the box office smash many of us expected it to be.

After a solid $55 million opening weekend, Watchmen suffered a 67% second week drop-off, earning just $18 million for a total two-week domestic gross of $86 million (approx $112 million worldwide). Those earnings are far short of Watchmen‘s reported $120 million budget, not to mention the astronomical cost of a marketing campaign so intense it seemed like Rorschach was making a run for The White House.

Now that Watchmen is in real danger of being a box office flop, it’s time to ask the hard question: has Watchmen‘s underperformance killed “comic book movies?”

DEFINING THE ‘COMIC BOOK MOVIE’

There have always been two distinct approaches to comic book films. There are films like Watchmen, The ...

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