“Animal Kingdom” thesp Sullivan Stapleton is in final negotiations to star in the untitled followup film to “300” from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures.
Noam Murro is helming, with Kurt Johnstad and Zack Snyder penning the script. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
Mark Canton, Gianni Nunnari, Bernie Goldmann, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder and Thomas Tull are producing.
Stapleton had been in consideration for the role early on but had an obligation to the TV show “Strike Back.” With the pic shoot pushing to the summer, the studio went back to Stapleton and it looks like the schedules have been work out.
Stapleton wouldn’t necessarily be playing Xerxes, as was originally thought. Sources say the film, originally rooted as a prequel, is neither a prequel or a sequel and that the filmmakers are still figuring out its positioning.
Besides “Strike Back,” Stapleton can also be seen in Warner Bros.’ “Gangster Squad.”
He is repped by WME and United Management.
