Joel Edgerton In Talks For ‘300: Battle Of Artemisia;’ Also Offered ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ [Updated]
The prequel to300, once calledXerxesandnow300: Battle of Artemisia, has been slowly moving forward for the last couple years asFrank Millercreated the graphic novel on which the movie will be based. With Miller’s work done,Zack Snyder, director of300, and his300writerKurt Johnstad, have finished a script for the new film.
The next step is casting, and while one producer has teased the cameo returns ofGerard ButlerandLena Headey,Battle of Artemisianeeds a new leading man to play Themosticles, a Greek general who led the defense against Persia’s invasion in 480 BCE.
NowJoel Edgerton, recently seen inThe Thing,Animal KingdomandWarrior, is reportedly in talks to strip down and oil up for the part.
Update:Edgerton has also reportedly been offered the lead inSteven Soderbergh’sThe Man From U.N.C.L.E.Vulturesays Warner Bros. is in talks with the actor. If he signs, he’ll work under thedirectionofNoam Murro, who recently bailed onDie Hard 5in order to make the300prequel.Battle of ArtemisiaproducersMark CantonandGianni Nunnarirecently saidof the Snyder/Johnstad script,
Of the overall story, Frank Miller said last year,
…the story starts with the Battle of Marathon" … “The lead character is Themistocles, who became warlord of Greece and built their navy. The story is very different than ‘300’ in that it involves Xerxes search for godhood. The existence of gods are presupposed in this story and the idea is that he well on his way to godhood by the end of the story. With Themistocles I have a character who is almost the dead opposite of Leonidas in that Themistocles was a lying, conniving, brilliant, heroic figure. He was nicknamed ‘The Subtle Serpent’ and he always manages to do the exact right things that will result in him benefiting greatly.
Update:Vulturealso says that WB is offering the lead inThe Man From U.N.C.L.E.to Edgerton, which makes this look like an either/or situation. (George Clooneywas once going to take the role, butdropped out.Bradley Cooperhas also been linked.) So, assuming that he does one of the two, which would you expect? The fun spy film from Soderbergh, which will likely involve the most impressive supporting cast of Edgerton’s career, or the300prequel, which could end up with a much bigger audience? I’d probably go with the Soderbergh, but the bigger money could be in300.
