Actress Eva Green is in talks to star as the title character in 300: Battle of Artemisia, Warner Bros.' prequel to the 2007 blockbuster 300.

Eva Green will play Artemisia, a wicked goddess who persuades Xerxes to assemble his army and lead them into battle against the Greeks. We reported last month that Joel Edgerton is in talks to star as Themistokles, the Greek general who leads his soldiers into battle against Xerxes. It seems that a deal was never reached, though, since this new report indicates the studio is still searching for the male lead.

Noam Murro (Smart People) is directing 300: Battle of Artemisia from a screenplay by 300 director Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad.

The producers are hoping to start filming 300: Battle of Artemisia in the first quarter of 2012.