As far as spin-offs go, if they’re done right then this writer is all for them. Does it bode well then that Xerxes has been re-titled by Warner Bros. and is now 300: Battle of Artemisia? If you look at it from a branding perspective, most likely this new title is better for the 300 franchise since it obviously links the semi-prequel with the smash hit original 300 starring Gerard Butler.

Welcome back for another edition of News Bits.  What is it you ask?  The film world can get quite overwhelming at times in the news that releases.  Unfortunately some of this news is just too small to warrant a full article. Rather than deprive you of the news, we've created this section.  This week in news bits we've got TV shows, rumors, and somehow two Lindsay Lohan stories...but it's not gossip!

[Update] Warner Bros. has confirmed that Ritchie will not be directing Xerxes...but Snyder isn't likely to do it either.  Superman is keeping him too busy.  So in the next few months be prepared for some wild speculation on who will take over. [Update]

This comes as some odd/sad news for Zack Snyder fans.  Xerxes, the prequel to Frank Miller's 300 (which was directed by Snyder) is soon to be adapted and work on the prequel has been going on for quite some time.  Zack Snyder has made previous comments on it, and had planned to direct it based on his own script...just like before.  However, Warner Bros has now offered the Director's chair to Guy Ritchie instead.  What the hell?

Despite the fact that Frank Miller has not finished writing the graphic novel, or that Snyder hasn't even been confirmed to direct the feature, that hasn't stopped him from starting the script for the 300 follow-up.