300 producer Bernie Goldmann has confirmed rumours that Gerald Butler will reprise his role of King Leonidas in a follow-up to the 2006 film. Lena Headey will join him in a brief appearance as Queen Gorgo.
“It’s a different story,” Goldmann explained. “[But] there is a small part for Lena [Headey]. There’s a small part for Gerry [Butler].”
It is thought the story will be adapted from Frank Miller’s upcoming graphic novel, Xerxes, which takes place 10 years prior to the events of the original film. The project has been titled 300: THE BATTLE OF ARTEMISIA (dashing any hopes I had for a 101 DALMATION’S inspired “301”) and has a tentative release date of 2013.
Casting for central roles has yet to take place, but Goldmann insists in wanting unknown actors.
“When you make a period movie like that, it’s great not to know the actors,” he stated. “For me, as an audience, it always brings me into the movie more. You can’t see Tom Cruise in a historical movie. You go, ‘That’s Tom Cruise!'”
300: BATTLE OF ARTEMISIA will be directed by Noam Murro (SMART PEOPLE) from a script by Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad (300).
Source: Worst Previews
