Sullivan Stapleton Features on the New '300: Rise of an Empire' Poster

Considering 300 followed the Battle of Thermopylae, the Spartans were utterly obliterated by the end of the film. So there's a need for a new hero and lead actor for the sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire, and that would be the mostly unknown Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton. He features on the latest Comic-Con character poster in his role as Themistokles, who leads the charge against the advancing Xerxes and his lieutenant, Artemisia.

Directed by Noam Murro and co-starring Eva Green, Rodrigo Santoro, Jack O'Connell, and Lena Headey, 300: Rise of an Empire opens on March 7th 2014.

PLOT: Based on Frank Miller's upcoming 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.