MANILA, Philippines – For those who secretly recreate Leonidas’s kick in “300,” you can now kick for joy because a sequel is making its way to theaters.

“300: Rise of an Empire” centers on Greek general Themistocles and Artemisia, the formidable queen of the Persian province of Caria.

According to CinemaBlend.com, the film encompasses 6 great battles including the Battle of Artemisium, a naval engagement that took place at the same time as “300’s” Battle of Thermopylae, and the Battle of Salamis and possibly the Battle of Marathon.

But perhaps more interesting for fans of “300” is how the sequel will also shed light on the back story of Persian god-king Xerxes played by Rodrigo Santoro.

The cast

Playing the role of fearsome warrior Themistocles is Sullivan Stapleton, an Australian actor who starred in “Animal Kingdom,” a 2010 Sundance Film Festival selection.

The sultry Eva Green (“Kingdom of Heaven,” “Casino Royale,” “Dark Shadows”) stars as Artemisia.

Lena Headey (Cersei in “Game of Thrones”) returns as Queen Gorgo of Sparta, Leonidas’s wife.

The sequel is based on “300” creator Frank Miller’s upcoming graphic novel “Xerxes.”

“300” director Zack Snyder was supposed to helm the project but backed out to direct “Man of Steel.” He is credited as producer instead. Noam Murro, who last directed the romantic-comedy “Smart People,” replaced him as director.

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The film will hit US theaters on August 2.

Nick Venable of CinemaBlend.com called the “300: Rise of an Empire” poster “boring and unmemorable.” He hopes that those words don’t describe the film itself.

“300,” which starred Gerard Butler as the legendary Spartan king Leonidas who led his 300 warriors to glorious death in the Battle of Thermopylae, was a huge box office hit, grossing over US$450-M.

Will the sequel replicate its success? We have to wait and see. – Rappler.com