300: Rise of an Empire - Page 6

Spartans used to bash the Athenians regularly enough (Pelopennesian wars, where the Spartans and their mates thumped the living daylights out of the Athenians not once, but three times, and helped to shape the new order on the Greek Peninisula. In fact, it is widely believed that this was the end of the 'Golden Age of Athens', with the city state never regaining its former glory/power. So we have Gerard Butler to thank for not turning us all into silk ruffled poofs) but the Athenians obviously couldn't have been too wimpy, what with the Battle of Marathon going in their favour.

Indeed they were, the Romans pretty much stole all their galley designs from Athens when they sacked the place in approx 190 BC.

That said, no point in having a good navy when your enemy can just walk over the hills

300 Sequel Gets [Another] Title Change

quote CB

The 300 prequel has already gone through two names, including Xerxes and 300: Battle of Artemsia, but now it seems that they have moved things around and the project once again has a new name: 300: Rise of an Empire. The new film is being directed by Smart People helmer Noam Murro and stars Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Rodrigo Santoro, Callan Mulvey and Jack O'Connell.

The news of the title change comes from Box Office Mojo. The plot of the story is set before the time Spartans battled with Persians and will be based on the Battle of Artemisium. During the conflict, which was a naval battle, the different city-states of Greece teamed up to stop the oncoming Persian invasion. The movie will also cover the story of how Xerxes became the God-King of Persia. Stapleton will be playing the hero role of Themistocles; Green will portray Artemisia (a leader of the Persians); and Santoro is returning to reprise his role as Xerxes. Zack Snyder, who directed the first film, is serving as a producer on the new movie, as are Deborah Snyder, Bernie Goldmann, Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari. Frank Miller wrote the story (which he is currently turning into a graphic novel) and the screenplay was written by Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad.

The film is currently in production in Sofia, Bulgaria. Warner Bros. will be distributing the movie, and will be releasing it in theaters on August 2, 2013.

Right now, I really don't care what it's called because I'm still iffy about any prequel/sequel being made, but we'll see...300 was hella fun upon first viewing. Don't know if this could bring that same surprise.