Well I’d have to say that I’m surprised that I’m even writing this post. A 300 sequel?? Really? Last year, there were eyebrows raised when Zack Snyder stated that Frank Miller was in the process of writing an completely new graphic novel with plans to adapt that into a screenplay. From the guys over at ComingSoon, they’ve reported Snyder saying “I know for a fact that Frank [Miller] is writing right now. [He’s] drawing away and seems to be knee-deep in it. I think he’s going to head back to Greece again and do another reconnaissance.” This further excerpt may give a little more detail as to his ‘vision’ and ‘look’ that we might be in store for:
“I think we would use the same technology… I don’t want it to look too Star Wars-ian… Just from what [Miller] told me, it would be bigger as far as landscape and terrain. We’re going to see Athens and the Aegean and other places. There would be an opportunity for bigger visions, though I’d hope for the same aesthetic. The tech we used for 300 was not a revolution. It’s basically what the weatherman has. Look, instead of Accuweather it’s Sparta… It’s going to be the same way, but on crazier steroids.”
Snyder once explained that this story would take place between the Battle of Thermopylae and the Battle of Plataea (which happened at the end after Leonidas’ death). To me, it sounds like Miller’s new story will follow Dilios (David Wenham) after he leaves Leonidas and will probably focus on the the events leading up to his fireside story/narration bit with the troops before the end of the film.
While I’m kind of on board with where this is going (due to the creative team of Snyder and Miller), I consider 300 to be like Gladiator – a perfect movie that ends and that’s that. Sure it looks wide open for a sequel with the ensuing battle raging on but I’d still say leave it alone and leave the rest to your imagination. Normally I’d be all for the battle continuing but with Leonidas gone it’s like continuing the story without Maximus in Gladiator. It’s that one fact alone that keeps me apprehensive despite how great this new story might end up becoming. On the hopeful side, as long as Zack is directing, we may have another slam dunk sequel provided they follow the traditional “follow-up” route (for a sequel to a successful first film) which is “go big” al a Nolan’s The Dark Knight or Raimi’s Spider Man 2 (but that’s a best case scenario). Anything less, to me, wouldn’t be worth the effort.
For now, I’ll say I’m interested but not 100% looking ofrward to this. But the one thing we can be certain of is that it looks like this movie is coming no matter what. What do you all think?? Anyone on board with this news??
