The first trailer for 300: Rise of an Empire, the follow-up film to the adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel 300 was released Wednesday. The film, based on Miller's upcoming prequel graphic novel Xerxes, chronicles a new war with parts of the story taking place before, during and after the first film. Rise of an Empire marks the first time Smart People director Noam Murro has led an action film which emulates the style of the first film. Zack Snyder, who directed 300, and Kurt Johnstad, writer of 300 and Act of Valor, adapted the film for the big screen.