Although relatively new to the business, Noam Murro has landed his first big shot at the big-budget film with The Hollywood Reporter claiming Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures will surprisingly hand him the reins to their 300: Battle of Artemisia (formerly named Xerxes and I guess they couldn’t call it 300 2 because that would look daft), a spin-off to Zack Snyder’s popular shirtless muscle man actioner 300.

The Israeli-born director has won the gig over Unknown helmer Jaum Collet-Serra, who was recently given the director’s position in the Akira adaptation by WB instead.

Murro’s only notable work is his 2008 Indie drama Smart People starring Dennis Quaid as a recent struggling widower, caring for his lost adopted brother (Thomas Haden Church), over achieving daughter (Ellen Page), and potential new love interest (Sara Jessica Parker). The film caught the eye of Hollywood, and had him previously as a contender for Die Hard 5 and who we believe is still attached to make the film.

300: Battle of Artemisia is based on Frank Miller’s upcoming graphic novel prequel which turns the feared antagonist of the original – the Persian ‘God-king’ -  into the lead character. The story follows him on his search for power and greatness after the death of his father and sets him against the Athenian warlord Themistocles, spanning across several years with the culmination being the great battle of Artemisium, which took place in 480 BC.

Adapting the graphic novel began last year when Snyder was sharing writing duties once again with Kurt Johnstad and at one point it looked like the Sucker Punch and Watchmen helmer might direct but then Superman came calling.

Basically then Murro is the director for hire who is set with the task of mimicking Snyder’s style and aesthetic and nobody is expecting too much from this.

Rodrigo Santoro played the Persian God-King in Snyder’s original film but one probably thinks he might not be a big enough name to carry this tentpole and they may now re-cast.

An official offer will be made to Murro this week we are told and filming should begin later this year, probably for a release in 2013.

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