Variety are reporting that we finally have some solid casting news for the follow up to 300. It seems Xerxes, the villain from 300, will be played by Sullivan Stapleton, who we will see next in a supporting role in Gangster Squad alongside Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin..
"Animal Kingdom" thesp Sullivan Stapleton is in final negotiations to star in the untitled "300" follow-up from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures. Noam Murro is helming, with Kurt Johnstad and Zack Snyder penning the script with plot details being kept under wraps.
Stapelton has received high praise for his performance in Australian crime drama
Animal Kingdom. We had heard that the
300 spin-off would be called "Xerxes", then "300: The Battle of Artemisia", but reports indicate that it is still untitled. It's
Deadline who are reporting that it's Xerxes that Stapleton will be playing. The character was previously played by Rodrigo Santoro.
Update: According to a tweet from /Film Sullivan is not playing Xerxes, but a character called Themistocles who will serve as the "hero" of the story.