FIRST LOOK: Eva Green 'Wants to Go to War' in '300: Rise of an Empire'

After years of discussion and stop-and-go production, 300: Rise of an Empire is finally a reality. The sequel to 2007's 300 tells a parallel story which centers in on another battle that was going on while the events in the original film took place. Don't expect to see Gerard Butler back as King Leonides, as only Rodrigo Santoro and Lena Headey return for 300: Rise of an Empire. The franchise does add a big name, though, with Eva Green, who audiences probably know best as Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale, playing a lead role.

In its summer movie preview issue, Entertainment Weekly unveiled the first shot that we've see of Green in 300: Rise of an Empire, assuring fans of the original that the sequel is going to keep the same distinctive look. So what can we expect from Green's character?

"But it's Eva Green as Artemisia, the only female commander in Xerxes' navy, who takes center stage this time. "She's kind of a Lady Macbeth/Cleopatra character," says Green. "She's obsessed by vengeance and wants to go to war with the Greeks." Midbattle, she meets Athenian general Themistokles (Strike Back star Sullivan Stapleton). "He's my archenemy, but there's a very strong attraction," says Green. "If they'd been in another kind of situation, it might have been a romantic story."

Looking at the shot of Green in 300: Rise of an Empire, I find it kind of funny that the movie that reveled in dressing its male actors is as little clothing as possible gets a sequel that almost completely covers up its female lead. Check out the photo of Green in 300: Rise of an Empire after the jump to get a better look.