Looks like director Zack Snyder (Legend of the Guardians: Owls of Ga’Hoole) is ready to dine in hell with graphic novelist Frank Miller (The Spirit) once more. The minds behind 300 have sealed a deal to adapt the story of Xerxes for the big screen.

Snyder tells 24 Frames:

We closed the writing deal on Xerxes.  We started writing about a week ago.  So we’re doing it.  It’s happening.

This movie follows Themistocles and the Battle of Artemisium, which coincidentally happens on the exact same three days as the Battle of Thermopylae [which was the basis of 300].

This one starts off with a quick retelling of the why of the Persian wars.  It starts off at the Battle of Marathon and then it goes back to Themistocles finding out that Persians are invading again, and off we go over to learn a little bit about why Xerxes is the way he is.

Xerxes succeeded his father Darius the Great as ruler of the Persian Empire in 486 BC, four years after the defeat at Marathon. He was portrayed by Rodrigo Santoro (“Lost”) in the film 300.

Snyder wouldn’t confirm if he would direct the project, but appears ready to take the reigns (most likely as soon as Warner Bros. backs up a truckload of cash at his door).

Says Snyder:

It’s really going to depend on what the studio wants to do and what we do when we finish; I don’t have a directing deal in place but we are writing it, so call it intent.  If there was a crime they could probably convict me.

Released in 2007, 300 has grossed over $450 million worldwide and given Scottish actor Gerard Butler a huge career to squander away with lame rom-coms and an all-burrito diet (dude is getting plump).

(UPDATE: XERXES GETS NEW TITLE & DIRECTOR)

Scream 4 starlet Hayden Panettiere is dispelling rumors that she is not happy with the changes made to her character during recent rewrites of franchise creator Kevin Williamson’s script by Scream 3 scribe Ehren Kruger.

She tells Access Hollywood:

I don’t know whether it’s somebody projecting or, who knows where it came from, but ultimately it was very untrue and I love my character…I’m having a really good time doing it…it’s a really great cast.

All the original cast is back. We’ve got Neve Campbell and David Arquette and Courteney Cox…We’ve got a brand new cast – myself and Emma Roberts…[Director] Wes Craven is an amazing human being and such a nice guy.

It is such a pleasure to work with him…you can feel the crews at ease. They’re able to have fun — it’s not like twisting their arm to come to work. They actually really, really enjoy it, so it’s been a blast thus far.

I know. Reading about how much an actress loves her new role, director, and costars is about as exciting as looking at pictures of someone drinking water.

Oh, that reminds me, here you have some on-the-set photos of returning Scream player Courteney Cox as she goes to …

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