Next August we’ll finally get a follow-up to the 2006 surprise hit 300, and while Rodrigo Santoro reprises his role and takes center stage as Xerxes, there have only been rumors about other stars returning. Now, MTV News has learned that Gerard Butler, the star of Zack Snyder’s breakout film, will not be appearing in 300: Battle of Artemisia.
Out promoting his upcoming surfing movie Chasing Mavericks, Butler told MTV he’s not involved with the project.
“They’re filming [the ‘300’ sequel] right now. I wish them the best, but it didn’t [work out]. It wasn’t really my thing.”
Rumors circulated as long ago as last September that Butler and co-star Lena Headey might have small roles in the film as the events take place around the same time as 300, but the emphasis was always going to be on new faces and lesser-known actors, just as Butler and Headey were back in 2006.
Butler’s higher profile will be missed from a box-office perspective, but considering again that he was an unknown at the time, it can’t be much of a concern for Warner Bros.
Eva Green, who will play ruler Artemesia, has the film’s only real star power. Alongside her will be Sullivan Stapleton as warlord Themistocles.
Noam Murro directs 300: Battle of Atemisia, which is scheduled for release on August 2nd, 2013.
