300: BATTLE OF ARTEMISIA: Jamie Blackley cast as Calisto in Sequel

Jamie Blackley is Calisto in the 300 Sequel. Jamie Blackley being cast in the 300 sequel, possibly called 300: Battle of Artemisia, is the second cast member to be official signed onto the film. The first was Sullivan Stapleton, written about here: 300 Sequel: Battle of Artemisia: Sullivan Stapleton is Themistocles.

Noam Murro is directing 300: Battle of Artemisia, with Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad writing the screenplay off a graphic novel by Frank Miller.

On Jamie Blackley’s role in the tentatively titled 300: Battle of Artemisia and his representation:

Blackley will play Calisto, a teen whose desire to become the heroic man/soldier his father was leads the 16-year-old to become a leader of a small band of soldiers.

Blackley is repped by WME, Luber Roklin Entertainment and UK-based United Agents

Other actors rumored to be in 300: Battle of Artemisia include Eva Green and Andrew Pleavin.

On the Battle os Salamis, which is to take place in the film:

To block the Persian advance, a small force of Greeks blocked the pass of Thermopylae [the story featured in 300, reviewed here: 300 (2006) Film Review)], while an Athenian-dominated Allied navy engaged the Persian fleet in the nearby straits of Artemisium. In the resulting Battle of Thermopylae, the rearguard of the Greek force was annihilated, whilst in the Battle of Artemisium the Greeks had heavy losses and retreated after the loss at Thermopylae. This allowed the Persians to conquer Boeotia and Attica. The Allies prepared to defend the Isthmus of Corinth whilst the fleet was withdrawn to nearby Salamis Island.

Although heavily outnumbered, the Greek Allies were persuaded by the Athenian general Themistocles to bring the Persian fleet to battle again, in the hope that a victory would prevent naval operations against the Peloponessus. The Persian king Xerxes was also anxious for a decisive battle. As a result of subterfuge on the part of Themistocles, the Persian navy sailed into the Straits of Salamis and tried to block both entrances. In the cramped conditions of the Straits the great Persian numbers were an active hindrance, as ships struggled to maneuver and became disorganised. Seizing the opportunity, the Greek fleet formed in line and scored a decisive victory, sinking or capturing at least 300 Persian ships.

As a result Xerxes retreated to Asia with much of his army, leaving Mardonius to complete the conquest of Greece. However, the following year, the remainder of the Persian army was decisively beaten at the Battle of Plataea and the Persian navy at the Battle of Mycale. Afterwards the Persian made no more attempts to conquer the Greek mainland.

For more 300 news, photos, reviews, and videos, visit our 300 Page. 300: Battle of Artemisia will be released in US theaters in 2013.

Source: Deadline, Firstshowing, Wikipedia