Frank Miller’s 300 graphic novel prequel ‘Xerxes‘, has seen production on the film go through problems and changes over the last year. A number of actors were offered the lead role but passed on the project (including Joel Edgerton) before the studio settled on relatively unknown fellow Aussie Sullivan Stapleton (whose currently headlining hit show STRIKE FORCE and will soon be seen in GANGSTER SQUAD). It’s also expected the plot that was originally a prequel, then changed to a sequel will now set the story as a side-quel companion piece to the original Gerard Butler-led sword-swinging actioner. The events to be depicted in the same time frame, but different view point, something that is becoming more popular in Hollywood.
The title of the film has also changed a number of times with the original moniker of XERXES, soon giving way to capitalise on Zack Snyder’s visually-stunning epic and changed to 300: BATTLE OF ARTEMESIA and NOW it has been confirmed as 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE. Anyone else got a feeling this will probably change again before it’s out?
Shooting will begin later this year for a planned for release on 2nd August 2013 and Noam Murro directs. Eva Green, Hans Matheson, Igal Naor, Callan Mulvey, Jack O’Connell and Andrew Tiernan co-star alongside returnees Rodrigo Santoro and Lena Headey.
Source: WarnerBros.
