Watch First Trailer For 300: Rise Of An Empire

If any film demanded a sequel, it is Zack Snyder’s 300. With Man Of Steel hitting this weekend, it is no mistake that the first trailer for 300: Rise Of An Empire has chosen this moment to assault our collective senses.

While Mr. Snyder did not direct 300: Rise Of An Empire, he did have a hand in both writing and producing it. The film follows the Greek general Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) as he leads an army against Persian King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), the most fabulous god-king in all the land. The story roughly parallels the Battle of Thermopylae, which 300 gave us in such adrenaline pumping CGI. But this film primarily concerns the naval Battle of Artemisium, so we can expect a lot of very wet men in leather bikinis.  Am I complaining? No. I am not.

A few of our favorite Greeks and Spartans have returned for 300: Rise Of An Empire. Lena Headey comes back as Spartan Queen Gorgo, and David Wenham returns as Dilios, the only Spartan of the 300 to survive. The film adds Eva Green as Artemisia and, of course, our hero Sullivan Stapleton (Gangster Squad) as Themistocles.

The first trailer is pretty much what you’d expect from a sequel to 300 – lots of slow motion, ripped men in leather bikinis, Xerxes strutting around in gold lame underpants, and what looks like some pretty impressive cinematography and naval action. The most awesome surprise for me is the appearance of Eva Green as Artemisia, the Persian naval commander. She looks pretty amazing and will obviously be kicking all kinds of butt. While Queen Gorgo had her moments in the original, Artemisia looks like she’s going to take badass to a whole new level in 300: Rise Of An Empire.

300: Rise Of An Empire does not hit theatres until March 7, 2014. You’ll just have to be satisfied with watching the trailer below.