‘300: Rise Of An Empire’ Trailer: Zack Snyder Is Missing But His Style Remains [VIDEO]

“300: Rise of an Empire” has a new trailer, well before its theatrical debut on March 7, 2014. “300” director Zack Snyder did not return for the sequel, but his style is all over the action-packed trailer.

Warner Bros. released the early trailer for “300: Rise of an Empire” to get fans excited for the sequel to the 2007 hit, based on the Persian Wars of 2,500 years ago. Snyder directed “300” and his unusual style, which included plenty of speed-ramping during the action scenes, made the film stand out from the old “sword and sandals” action movies. While Snyder did not return for the sequel, “300: Rise of an Empire” director Noam Murro made sure the sequel followed the same stylistic path.

While Snyder was busy with “Man of Steel,” he did help produce the film, which has Sullivan Stapleton playing Themistokles and Eva Green as Artemisia. Rodrigo Santoro will return to play Xerxes and Lena Headey as Spartan Queen Gorgo. “300: Rise of an Empire” will focus on Themistokles battling the Persian armies led by Xerxes and Artemisia.

The “300” sequel is an adaption of Frank Miller’s graphic novel “Xerxes.” The new comic series from the creator of “300,” “Sin City” and “Batman: The Dark Knight Rises” was first discussed in 2010, and while there was much attention on Miller’s return to “300,” the series has yet to materialize. On Dark Horse’s website, there is no mention of Miller’s “Xerxes” except for the initial 2010 announcement.

According to Warner Bros.’ 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.”

In the “300: Rise of an Empire” trailer, the action scenes are even bigger in scope, with an emphasis on the triumphant Xerxes crossing the ocean for another battle with the Spartan army. The trailer can be viewed below.