First look at '300: Rise of an Empire'

With Zack Snyder busy soaring to new heights with Man of Steel, Warner Bros. was forced to find someone new to direct 300:  Rise of an Empire. The relatively untested Noam Murro won the job, and based on the first images from the long-gestating sequel, he's stealing from Snyder's playbook in hopes of making a name for himself.

The first two stills have appeared in the pages of USA Today, showing star Sullivan Stapleton as Themistokles, a Greek general who rallies his force against Xerxes' superior Persian army. Based on Frank Miller's upcoming graphic novel, the story is set at roughly the same time as the Battle of Thermopylae depicted before, but includes a number of other battles, including some on the sea.

Lena Headey returns as Queen Gorgo, with Rodrigo Santoro reprising the role of Xerxes, but rumors of Gerard Butler appearing as Leonidas have never been confirmed. Eva Green is by far the most recognizable face, taking on the role of Artemisia, Xerxes' ruthless naval commander.

Co-written by Snyder and Kurt Johnstad, 300: Rise of an Empire hits the battlefield on August 2nd.