Gerard Butler To Return For '300' Prequel

It looks like Gerard Butler just couldn't say "no" to reprising what might go down as his most famous role.

"300" producer Bernie Goldmann spoke with Fandango and confirmed that not only will Butler appear in the upcoming prequel to the 2007 sword-and-sandals blockbuster, dubbed "300: Battle of Artemesia," but that Lena Headey will join him. One must assume that Butler would be reprising his King Leonidas role, and that Headey will once more play Queen Gorgo, but neither is confirmed.

"It's a different story," he explained. "[But] there is a small part for Lena [Headey]. There's a small part for Gerry [Butler]."

Though the two will appear, Goldmann believes that casting largely unknown actors will ultimately benefit the way audiences receive and immerse themselves in the story.

"When you make a period movie like that, it's great not to know the actors," he said. "You can't see Tom Cruise in a historical movie. You go, 'That's Tom Cruise!'"

OK, given "Valkyrie," let's give Goldmann that one comparison. Still, I must think that Mel Gibson might look at how well received "The Patriot" and obviously the Oscar-winning "Braveheart" were and think that a broad generalization.

Zack Snyder, who directed "300," has penned the script alongside "300" writer Kurt Johnstad but this time, Snyder is leading the "Superman" reboot "Man of Steel" and "Smart People" director Noam Murro will helm the production. With no exact date set yet, the prequel is estimated to hit theaters sometime in 2013.