By: Eric Eisenberg

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

Source: Cinema Blend