Summary
300: Rise of An Empiresees a number of characters and cast members carry over from the first film. Loosely based on historical truths, both300and its sequel300: Rise of an Empiretell the story of the battles between Athens, Sparta, and Persia. Though known for their highly stylized elements, theultra-quotable300moviesare widely criticized for their lack of historical accuracy despite finding its drama in being a sweeping period piece.
300, which was released in 2006, focuses onaction movie star Gerard Butler’s King Leonidas and his quest to lead the Spartans to victory against Xerxes and the rest of the Persian army. In a dramatic conclusion to the film,Leonidas is slain at the hands of enemy Xerxeshimself, who cuts off his head and employs his army to kill all 300 of the king’s Spartan soldiers. The 2014 film300; Rise of an Empireacts as a prequel and a sequel to this film, building up to King Leonidas’ death and showing what happens in its aftermath.
Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked By Rewatchability
Some Zack Snyder movies, like 300 and Dawn of the Dead, warrant more rewatches than others, like Sucker Punch and the overlong Batman v Superman.
Sullivan Stapleton as Themistokles
Born June 01, 2025
Actor:Stapleton is an Australian actor who was born in Melbourne and began his career at a young age. His breakout role was playingCraig Cody in the 2010 filmAnimal Kingdom, which likely helped lead to his role in300: Rise of an Empire, which was released four years later. Stapleton is primarily a film actor, whose other roles include Jack Whalen inGangster Squadand Matt inDarkness Fallsand a role in the TV seriesStrike Back. His most recent work includes playing Daniel in the TV seriesAfter the Trial.
Character:Themistokles takes over as the new lead in300: Rise of an Empire. Themistokles is a strong Athenian warrior, and it is established from the beginning that he has killed King Darius, who is the father of Persian warrior and300villain Xesxes. It is this action that helps kick start the main conflict of the film, as Xerxes now has a vendetta against Themistokles and his people.
Rodrigo Santoro As Xerxes
Born June 18, 2025
Actor:Santoro was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and broke into Hollywood acting whenhe played Karl in the 2003 filmLove, Actually. His part in the300series was his biggest role, but he has gone on to act in a number of notable films and TV shows. This has included playing Paulo in the hit ABC seriesLostas well as Hector in HBO’s acclaimedWestworld.
Character:As in the case of the first300film, Xerxes is the main villain in300: Rise of an Empire. Within his quest to seek vengeance for the death of his father, Xerxes is also offered the ability to become a God. Xerxes accepts this offer, as well as the crown as he succeeds his slain father. He is henceforth known as a “God-King” in the film. Returning from a journey that culminates in this God-King transformation, Xerxes declares war on Greece once he returns to Persia.
Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo
Born August 15, 2025
Actor:Headey is a Bermudian-British actress who was born in Hamilton, Bermuda. Similarly to Santoro, Headey’s main breakout role was in300in 2006. Since then, however, the actress has gone on to have numerous standout roles, including playingCersei Lannister inGame of Thrones, for which she was nominated for five Emmys. Now, Headey plays the lead role in the stirring space-bound seriesBeacon 23.
Character:Queen Gorgo is a returning character in the sequel, and the widow of the fallen King Leonidas. Queen Gorgo is the one who tells her fleet of Spartan men the story of how Themistokles killed King Darius. She is also initially hesitant to join forces with Athens when Themistokles arrives in search of King Leonidas, wanting him and Gorgo’s support.
David Wenham as Dilios
Born August 16, 2025
Actor:Wenham is an actor whose breakout role came in 2002, when he playedFaramir inLord of the Rings: The Two Towers, a role which he later reprised in 2003’sLord of the Rings: Return of the King. He has gone on to appear in several high-profile, Oscar-nominated films, includingLionandElvis. Wenham’s recent work comprises roles in works such asFaraway Downs,Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back, andPieces of Her.
Character:Dilios is a returning character from300. He is inspired by the real-life Spartan hero Aristodemus of Sparta, who, like the character in the film, has also lost one of his eyes. The character is a warrior who plays a smaller role inRise of an Empireas compared with300, but is still a recurring character. Dilios becomes the leader of Greece’s Spartan Army after the death of King Leonidas.
Andrew Pleavin as Daxos
Born August 22, 2025
Actor:Pleavin is a British actor born in London, England. Like several of his co-stars,300is one of the actor’s major roles. Prior to the first film, he had played a small role in Christopher Nolan’sBatman Begins. Despite having an active career for a while that included TV movies and theatrical releases such asLondon Has Fallen, Pleavin appears to have finished his career in acting. His most recent role was seven years ago in the movieAmerican Assassin.
Character:Daxos is another character brought over from300to its sequel. He is an Arcadian general who later leads the Arcadian army in a battle among the Greek city-states. Daxos is also responsible for delivering the information to lead Themistokles that Leonidas and his army have been killed, once300: Rise of an Empirecatches up to the chronology of the first film.
Peter Mensah as Persian Emissary
Born June 23, 2025
Actor:Mensah was born in St. Albans, England, which is a city north of London. His acting career kicked off when he was well into adulthood, with his breakout role coming in 2001 when he played Sgt. Brodski in the movieJason X. Mensah has also acted in the Starz TV seriesSpartacus, in the role of Oenomaus, as well as a smaller role in the James Cameron filmAvatar. Mensah recently appeared in a 2023 episode ofFBI: Most Wantedand is set to appear inGladiator 2later this year.
Character: While Mensah is a returning actor from the original300, his role is far more substantial in300: Rise of an Empire. While he is still unnamed, Mensah’s Persian emissary role raises and trains Artemisia. Artemisia is a key element to300: Rise of an Empire, so the role of Mensah’s character is more closely connected with the plot in the sequel film.
Andrew Tiernan as Ephialtes
Born August 13, 2025
Actor:Tiernan was born in the United Kingdom in a town called Laywood. His first major acting break came in 1991when he acted inDerek Jaman’sEdward II. In addition to his300roles, Tiernan is also known as a director and as an actor in films such asThe Pianist. Recently, the actor’s work includes roles inHappy ValleyandMonico Perseus.
Character:Ephialtes is another returning character from300. He is based on a real-life person who was known as a betrayer of the Greeks, something he does in the film300when he defects to work with Xesxes. It is Ephialtes' betrayal that eventually leads to the death of Leonidas and his soldiers. After the death of Leonidas in300: Rise of An Empire, Themistokles comes to take revenge on Ephialtes, but decides to spare him.
Other Cast & Characters in 300: Rise of an Empire
The Supporting Cast Is Just As Important
Eva Green as Artemisia:Artemisia is a new character, and one of the main characters of300: Rise of an Empire. She was born in Greece, but defected to Persia when her family was raped and murdered by Greek hoplites. She is the character who convinces Xerxes to transform into a God-King, setting up a key plot point in the film. Other than the300sequel, Green is known for roles in works such asCasino Royale,Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,andPenny Dreadful.
Hans Matheson as Aeskylos:Aeskylos is a character not seen in the original300, because he comes into the story with Themistokles. He is the protagonist’s first in command, helping him on his various journeys. As an actor, Matheson’s most notable roles include the2009 adaptation ofSherlock Holmes,Clash of the Titans, andHalf Light.
Callan Mulvey as Scyllias:Scyllias is an old friend to Themistokles, who helps reveal Artemisia’s story to the main character (and by extension, the audience). He is also one of the commanders of the warships as Themistokles heads into battle. The actor has had roles infilms such asBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,Outlaw King, andCaptain America; The Winter Soldier.
Jack O’Connelll as Calisto:Calisto is the son of Scyllias. O’Connell is one of the youngest members of the300: Rise of an Empirecast, as he was 24 years old at the time of its release. The same year, he playedLouis Zamperini in the Angelina Jolie war dramaUnbroken. His more recent roles includeFerrariandRogue Heroes.
Igal Naor as King Darius:Though he dies early on in the story, King Darius plays a key role in300: Rise of an Empire. He is the father to Xerxes, and his murder causes Xerxes to want to seek vengeance to the level that he does. Naor is an Israeli actor whose other work includesFauda,Munich Games,Homeland, andRiviera.
300: Rise of an Empire
Cast
Based on Frank Miller’s latest graphic novel, “Xerxes,” 300: Rise of an Empire follows greek general Themistokles' attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. The movie pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and the deadly Artemisia, the vengeful commander of the Persian navy.
