Marc Canton, the producer of 300, had a conversation with MTV Splash Page‘s Larry Carroll recently, where he confirmed speculation that a sequel to 300 is gaining momentum. Reiterating comments previously made by 300 director Zack Snyder, Canton confirmed that Frank Miller, the author behind the graphic novel upon which the movie was based, is currently working on a sequel graphic novel that will later be transposed into a screenplay.
Commenting on what must surely be a complicated process (bringing to fruition a film that has few remaining leading characters), Canton says that Snyder and Miller have already agreed upon the story’s setting. However, in previous public statements, Snyder has said that he will have no hand in the creation of the new story in novel form; that will be left entirely up to Miller.
One would think the situation is pretty straightforward: if most or all of the original leading characters from 300 were killed off, the likelihood of a sequel seems slim. Apparently no one gave Canton that memo. Carroll asked how the minds behind the masterpiece plan on overcoming this rather large roadblock to the sequel. Here what Canton had to say:
Things are always looking good with ‘300,’ it’s a blessing and a gift…There’s a new Blu-Ray coming out all over again shortly, so that’s great. It’s like the gift that never stops giving.
Canton seems to see the pragmatic side of the argument: the potential for a 300 sequel to be another financial wellspring like the original. But what of the character shortage that seems to be standing between the film in theory and the film in reality? Carroll revealed to Splash Page that Gerard Butler’s character, King Leonidas, COULD be brought back from the dead, even though the first film ends with the recounting of his death by David Wenham’s Dilios. Said Canton: “Never assume anything; never assume anything…”
A text book answer from the Hollywood Producer School of Vagueness. What is it we are NOT to assume, exactly? That dead characters are going to stay dead? Because that would be presumptuous…
Let’s hope that Canton’s “gift that never stops giving” can deliver a second time. Thankfully, with minds behind the project like Snyder and Miller, focused more on the creative aspect, the film has the potential to repeat the success of the original and continue to give Canton what he really want$.
How do you think they should approach the 300 sequel? Should they try an bring back King Leonidas?
