TV takes on familiar IP isn’t new these days, although the quality of those series runs the gamut. For every show like Prime Video‘s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and “Dead Ringers,” there are others, like Paramount+‘s “Sexy Beast,” that are utterly forgettable. In short, IP-turned-TV varies in quality, but that’s not stopping Warner Bros. from remaking one of Zack Snyder‘s biggest films into series form.
But the just-announced “300” TV series isn’t a straight remake of Snyder’s film, or Frank Miller and Lynn Varley‘s original graphic novel. Instead, Variety reports the studio’s Television Group plans to make a prequel series to the 2006 film. What’s more, Snyder is in talks to return to direct and executive produce the series too. Snyder’s wife Deborah would also return to executive produce through their Stone Quarry banner if plans go ahead, along with Wesley Coller. Other producers from the 2006 film would come back as well, including Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, and Bernie Goldmann. As for where this “300” prequel would end up, there’s no bids from platforms/streamers yet, much less any writers attached; so things are still in early stages here.
At this point, none of the original cast of “300” are age appropriate for a TV prequel. That means Gerard Butler likely won’t return as King Leonidas, nor would Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Vincent Regan, Tom Wisdom, and David Wenham. But Lena Headey and Rodrigo Santoro returned for the 2014 follow-up “300: Rise Of An Empire” as Gorgo and Xerxes, respectively. So, while unlikely they’d return either, it’d be a little less surprising if they did. “Rise Of An Empire” didn’t fare as well with critics as the 2006 film did, but it still made $337 million worldwide, not quite matching the $450 million gross of “300,” but still solid.
Needless to say, there’s still an audience for a prequel to these movies, but Snyder’s name attracts a different kind of attention these days. The director’s recent “Rebel Moon” movies for Netflix were derided by critics and audiences alike, and nothing Snyder has made since his version of “Justice League” hit Max in 2021 has fared well in that regard. So maybe a “300” series is a step back into the comfort zone for Snyder? Granted, he’s still not officially signed on the series yet, but it could be a savvy pivot after the “Rebel Moon” debacles.
Snyder has his champions, but even if he doesn’t get involved with this prequel show, a “300” series still sounds like a bit of a head-scratcher. Post-COVID movie audiences have already spoken in droves that they’re mostly not interested in old IP anymore, so why should similar TV shows be immune to that disinterest? Then again, “Rebel Moon” was an original IP and an absolute trainwreck, so in Snyder’s case, returning to “300” may be a safe bet. Still, it’s disheartening to see Warner Bros. plumb another old IP for what they believe will be guaranteed audience interest. How about an original idea instead?
