300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE Shifts To March 7, 2014

Warner Bros. Pictures has announced a change of release dates for two of its most-anticipated event films: “All You Need is Kill,” from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, and “300: Rise of an Empire,” from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures. The announcement was made by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

“All You Need is Kill” has been moved to the Summer release corridor, opening on June 6, 2014, with select international markets predating the domestic release, starting the weekend of May 30, 2014. The earlier international release date was specifically chosen to put the opening two weeks ahead of the start of the World Cup. The move reflects the studio’s already strong belief in the huge science fiction actioner, which marks the first collaboration between two proven hit-makers, Tom Cruise and director Doug Liman.

The release date of “300: Rise of an Empire,” a new chapter in the epic “300” saga, has moved to March 7, 2014, with international territories opening day-and-date, reflecting the global popularity of the franchise. The first “300,” which was released in March 2007, went on to earn more than $456 million worldwide.

Fellman stated, “We have tremendous confidence in ‘All You Need is Kill’ and view it as a perfect tent pole for the Summer frame, with its combination of great cast, compelling story and tremendous action.”

Fellman also noted, “Moving ‘300: Rise of an Empire’ to March 7 continues in the tradition of the first ‘300,’ and kicks off the Spring movie-going season in epic style. The film is on track to become all that audiences have come to expect from the franchise.”

Kwan Vandenberg said, “We are thrilled about ‘All You Need is Kill’ heating up our Summer `14 slate. It is an action-packed adventure, told by an extraordinary cast, which is sure to have global appeal.

“We are also excited about the continuation of the ‘300’ saga,” Kwan Vandenberg added. “The first ‘300’ movie was a huge success internationally, and the day-and-date release of the new film is a great opportunity to turn its opening into a worldwide event.”

Told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster “300,” this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield—on the sea—as Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. “300: Rise of an Empire” pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes, and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures present, a Cruel and Unusual Films/Mark Canton/Gianni Nunnari Production, “300: Rise of an Empire.” The action adventure stars Sullivan Stapleton as Themistokles and Eva Green as Artemisia. Lena Headey reprises her starring role from “300” as the Spartan Queen, Gorgo; Hans Matheson stars as Aeskylos; David Wenham returns as Dilios; and Rodrigo Santoro stars again as the Persian King, Xerxes.

The film is directed by Noam Murro, from a screenplay by Zack Snyder & Kurt Johnstad, based on the graphic novel Xerxes, by Frank Miller. It is produced by Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder and Bernie Goldmann. Thomas Tull, Frank Miller, Stephen Jones and Jon Jashni serve as executive producers.

Opening in 3D and 2D in select theatres and IMAX on March 7, 2014, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

About “All You Need is Kill”:

Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt star in “All You Need is Kill,” directed by Doug Liman.

The story unfolds in a near future in which a hive-like alien race, called Mimics, have hit the Earth in an unrelenting assault, shredding great cities to rubble and leaving millions of human casualties in their wake. No army in the world can match the speed, brutality or seeming prescience of the weaponized Mimic fighters or their telepathic Alpha commanders. But now the world’s armies have joined forces for a last stand offensive against the alien horde, with no second chances.

The international cast also includes Bill Paxton, Kick Gurry, Dragomir Mrsic, Charlotte Riley, Jonas Armstrong and Franz Drameh.

Liman directed the film from a screenplay by Dante W. Harper and Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth and Christopher McQuarrie, based on the acclaimed novel All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. Erwin Stoff, Tom Lassally, Jason Hoffs, Gregory S. Jacobs and Jeffrey Silver are the producers. The executive producers are Doug Liman, Dave Bartis, Joby Harold, Hidemi Fukuhara and Bruce Berman, with Kim Winther and Tim Lewis serving as co-producers.

“All You Need is Kill” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures. Opening domestically on June 6, 2014, the film will be distributed in 2D and 3D in select theatres and IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow.