In case you don't already know, a prequel / sequel / spin-off to the movie
300 has been in its planning stages for some time now, based around the original's main antagonist, the Persian "God-king" Xerxes. For obvious reasons, the movie was going to be called
Xerxes, was to be based on a new graphic novel currently being penned by
Frank Miller, with 300 director
Zack Snyder attached to direct. Adapting the graphic novel began last year when Snyder was sharing writing duties once again with
Kurt Johnstad and we believe a script has been turned in. But it seems like things are changing in how it will be executed. Via
MTV, producer
Mark Canton (Immortals) recently stated that the project is still moving forward but will "
It's not called 'Xerxes' anymore," he said. "
We don't know yet." He then continued to drop another statement that suggests Zack Snyder may not return to direct the project, but will still be involved with the production to a certain degree...
"Rather than doing the bad sequel, Zack led the way, we took our time. And now I think we have something that is going to be fantastic. Soon we'll know what we're doing. But I don't see us waiting two years to make the movie and Zack is very much at the helm of it at the same time."
This new development can be credited to the fact that Snyder is busy rebooting the
Superman franchise, disabling him from getting involved as a director in other projects. Set ten years before 300 just after the Battle of Marathon, Frank Millers comic follows
Themistocles, a warlord of Greece who built their navy and is on the search to become a God. The movie will be the same heft as 300 but it covers a much, much greater span of timeits 10 years, not three days. This is a more complex story so much larger. Basically, expect more 300 but bloodier, more ambitious and more violent. I may be in the minority here, but I had no issues whatsoever with Zack Snyder helming Xerxes, or any other delusional self-proclaimed divine dictator for that matter, with emphasis on the words "
Zack Snyder". Say what you must about
Sucker Punch, I loved it for what it was, and I think Snyder's signature sense of visuals and ability to film incredibly intense action sequences is what this movie needs to work. Take those essential elements out of the equation and you'll have yourself a historically-incorrect story of a bisexual conqueror that most moviegoers couldn't care less about.
WB have a huge task on their hands to find a director with as much visual flare. Tarsem Singh comes to mind, and I'm sure he does to Canton too who has produced his forthcoming Immortals but he's busy himself with this Snow White movie.