The 300 spinoff Xerxes has a new name and the choice of director has been narrowed down to 2. To make it a little more obvious that the movie is the spawn of the $456 million grosser it will be called 300: Battle of Artimisia. So what’s it about? And who will direct?

Well, it focuses on the Battle of Marathon (why not call it that?) and takes place over a period of 10 years. It will also tell the story of how Xerxes became this odd and very tall god creature, which apparently started back when his father Darius was around. It’s based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel, which reveals the new hero to be Themistocles (bye Leonidas). Mark Canton, producer, says the script is fantastic, so I guess that counts for something. Or, he’s just trying to calm people down cause 300 director Zack Snyder is working on Man of Steel.

So who’s directing? It’s either going to be newcomer Noam Murro or Unknown helmer Jaume Collet-Serra. Snyder was going to do it, but Warner Bros. and Christopher Nolan came knocking with Man of Steel. Snyder and his wife, Debra, will be producing and are going to be involved in the selection of the director, however.

Although I enjoyed 300, what made the film great was the action sequences and frankly — Snyder’s directing. It’s been a couple years since the film too, so I don’t really know if a spinoff is needed, or wanted. But hey, when something makes money you gotta try again right? [Deadline via The Daily Blam]

300, frank miller, xerxes, zach snyder