​Packed with immense set pieces, dramatic naval warfare, and loads more of its unique and gripping special effects, the “300” movie series returns with its next installment for eagerly awaiting fans of the first.

​An initial trailer was released Wednesday for “300: Rise of an Empire,” the sequel to the massively popular 2006 blockbuster “300,” starring Gerard Butler (Leonidas), Lena Headley (Queen Gorgo), and Rodrigo Santoro (Xerxes), which recounted the famous Battle of Thermopylae where 300 Spartans fought to prevent Persia from invading Greece.

​As students of the Persian War recall, after the Spartans’ stand against Xerxes’ Persian Army, the Persian War continued as the Athenian general Themistocles faced the Persian Navy in the Battle of Salamis. This epic battle takes center stage in “Rise of an Empire,” which will include events from before, during, and after the timeline of the first movie.

​Headley and Santoro reprise their roles from the original, while the film will feature new performers Sullivan Stapleton as Themistocles and Eva Green as Artemisia.

​”Rise of an Empire” is scheduled for release on March 7, 2014. In the meantime, we encourage you to enjoy the trailer.