The first poster has emerged online for action sequel 300: Rise Of An Empire , and it looks like rippling muscles, steely determination and driving rain are on the menu once more.
The new poster is strongly reminiscent of 300 's design aesthetic, with stormy seas now taking the place of the dusty plains of the original film.
Based upon Frank Miller's Xerxes comic-book, the new film will pick up the story after the events of its predecessor, as the Persian God-king (Rodrigo Santoro) continues his assault on Greece.
However, the home team have a new hero in the form of Sullivan Stapleton's Greek general Themistokles, a man charged with uniting his fragmented people in defiance of their Persian aggressors.
Directed by Noam Murro from a script by Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad, and co-starring Lena Headey, Eva Green and David Wenham, 300: Rise Of An Empire will open in the UK and US on 2 August 2013. Until then, you can check out the new poster in full, below...
UPDATE: We've also been sent some hi-res images ( featuring two we had already seen , plus a new shot of Eva Green's Artemisia), and an official synopsis:
[ Click on the poster and images to see them in hi-res ]
And here's the official synopsis:
" Based on Frank Miller’s latest graphic novel Xerxes, and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster 300 , this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield - on the sea - as Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war.
300: Rise Of An Empire pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes, and Artemesia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy.
Warner Bros. Picture presents and Legendary Pictures presents, a Cruel and Unusual Films/Mark Canton/Gianni Nunnari Production, 300: Rise Of An Empire . The action adventure stars Sullivan Stapleton ( Gangster Squad ) as Themistokles and Eva Green ( Dark Shadows , Casino Royale ) as Artemisia. Lena Headey reprises her starring role from 300 as the Spartan Queen, Gorgo; Hans Matheson ( Clash of the Titans ) stars as Aeskylos; and Rodrigo Santoro stars again as the Persian King, Xerxes.
The film is directed by Noam Murro, from a screenplay by Zack Snyder & Kurt Johnstad, based on the graphic novel Xerxes , by Frank Miller. It is produced by Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder and Bernie Goldmann. Thomas Tull, Frank Miller, Stephen Jones and Jon Jashni serve as executive producers.
The creative filmmaking team includes director of photography Simon Duggan, production designer Patrick Tatopoulos, editor Wyatt Smith and costume designer Alexandra Byrne. The music is composed by Federico Jusid.
300: Rise of an Empire will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company ."
