Noam Murro to direct '300: Battle of Artemisia'

"Smart People" director Noam Murro has been tapped to direct the "300" spin-off "300: Battle of Artemisia."

Xerxes in 2007's "300."

The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog broke the story Friday. The film, originally called "Xerses," is based on Frank Miller's upcoming graphic novel followup to his "300."

The story follows Xerxes, who led the Persians against the Spartan protagonists of "300," as he battled the Athenian Themistocles, focusing on the battle of Artemisium.

Zack Synder directed "300," which was released in 2007 and went on to gross $456 million worldwide. The movie put Snyder on the map as a director, leading to his adaptation of "Watchmen" and his upcoming Superman film, "Man of Steel."

According to the report, Synder wrote the screnplay for "Battle of Artemisia" with "300" partner Kurt Johnstad.