300 is a movie in the action/war genre. Zachary Edward Synder co-wrote and directed the legendary American historical film. This movie took its story from the 1998 comic series, 300, written by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley. That’s why Miller got to work as an executive producer and consultant on this film.
300 was released in the United States on March 9, 2007, and became a box office hit, grossing $456.1 million.
300 got mixed reviews from the critics and the audience. While some praised its visuals, sound effects, and styling, others were dissatisfied with how the Persians were portrayed. This movie won several honorable awards, including IGN’s Movie of the Year and Golden Icon Awards.
On March 7, 2014, a sequel to this movie, entitled 300: Rise of an Empire, was released in the theatre.
300 (2006) Cast Then And Now
Gerard Butler – played King Leonidas
King Leonidas, aka Gerard James Butler, rose to prominence in the fantasy battle film 300. He was 38 years old when he played King Leonidas.
Not only he won the hearts of the audience but also he received nominations for Best Actor for an Empire Award and a Saturn Award. In addition, he won the MTV Movie Award for Best Fight.
Butler also provided the voice of Stoick in the animated film How to Train Your Dragon (2010-2019).
Furthermore, we have seen him playing Make Banning, a secret service agent, in the action thriller series Olympus Has Fallen, London Has Fallen, and Angel Has Fallen. And it’s confirmed that another season is coming, titled “Night Has Fallen.”
This 52-year-old American actor received several nominations for multiple movies and won the Yoga Award for Worst Foreign Actor in 2011 and the Golden Camera Award for Best International Award in 2016.
Lena Headey – played Gorgo
In the film 300, British actress Lena Kathren Headey portrayed the character Queen Gorgo. She was 34 years old at that time.
Gorgo was one of the film’s main characters. Lena was nominated for Best Breakthrough Performance at the MTV Movie Awards in 2007 for how she played her part.
This 48-year-old actress’s biggest breakthrough was starring as Cersi Lannister in an epic drama series, Game of Thrones. This show was on HBO for about 9 years, from 2011 to 2019.
Lena reprised her role as Gorgo in the sequel to 300, 300: Rise of an Empire.
Lena’s other films were Dredd (2012), The Purge (2013), and Fighting with My Family (2019).
Lena has received a few prestigious awards, mostly for the series “Games of Thrones,” including the Portal Award, the EWwy Award, and an Empire Award.
Rodrigo Santoro – played Xerxes
Rodrigo Santoro played the character of the Persian King names Xerxes in 300 and its sequel 300: Rise of an Empire. This Brazilian actor was 31 years old back then.
This Persian King was nominated for the MTV Movie Awards for Best Villain but unfortunately didn’t win that award.
Rodrigo’s other renowned projects were Che (2008), I Love You Phillip Morris (2009), and Rio (2011). He also appeared in a few TV shows, including Lost and Westworld.
Rodrigo’s acting career was, to say the least, remarkable. He received a couple of honors, including the Brazil Quality Award, the Cinema Brazilian Grand Prix, the Cannes Film Festival, the Festival de Brasilia, and the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival.
As of July 2022, this Brazilian actor is 46 years old and is currently busy shooting for his upcoming projects.
David Wenham – played Dilos
David Wenham played the character Dilos in both 300 and 300: Rise of an Empire. He was 41 during production of 300 and did a fantastic job in this movie.
Dilos is a soldier in the Spartan army, who starts the plot by narrating the life of Leonidas I, from childhood to kingship.
David Wenham, however, didn’t win or wasn’t nominated for any award for this movie.
This Australian actor worked in both cinema and television. In the Lord of the Rings trilogy, he played Faramir, and in Van Helsing, he played Friar Carl.
In Australia, this 56-year-old actor is well-known for his roles as Diver Dan in SeaChange and Price Galese in Les Norton.
David will soon appear in Marvel’s Iron Feast series.
Vincent Regan – played Captain Artemis
Vincent Regan, alias Captain Artemis, was a trustworthy captain of Leonidas’ army and a friend of Leonidas in the film 300.
When he signed the deal for this film, Vincent was 41 years old. Unfortunately, he did not receive any significant accolades for his performance.
Almost 16 years have passed since the debut of this epic combat picture, and Vincent, like the other cast members of The 300, has appeared in both films and television shows.
Clash of the Titans, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Vendetta, Camelot, Silent Witness, and Victoria are some of his most well-known films and television shows.
This 57-year-old actor recently wrapped shooting on Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which will be released in 2023.
Dominic West – played Theron
In the film 300, Dominic West played the role of Theron. Theron is a traitor who betrayed his king in exchange for Xerxes’ riches.
Dominic was 37 years old at the time he played Theron. He did not, however, win or has been nominated for any important accolades for his performance in the movie.
This English actor is most recognized for his appearances as Jimmy McNulty in The Wire, an American crime drama series, and Noah Solloway in The Affair, another drama series. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe for this series.
Dominic earned the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor in 2012 for his performance as the serial killer in Appropriate Adult.
He is now 52 years old and is busy working on his forthcoming projects.
Peter Mensah – played a Romanian Messenger
Peter Mensah, a Ghanaian-English actor, portrayed a Romanian messenger in the film 300. Peter’s task was to persuade Sparta to yield.
Peter was 47 years old when he took on this project. He did not receive any recognition for his remarkable work as a Romanian messenger.
Tears of the Sun and Hidalgo were Peter Mensah’s other big-budget pictures. We’ve also seen him in the Spartacus television series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, and Spartacus: Vengeance, all on Starz.
This Ghanaian-English actor has turned 62.
Tom Wisdom – played Astinos
Tom Wisdom played Captain Artemis’ eldest son, Astinos. Astinos got a lot of screen time in this film till his death.
Wisdom was 33 years old at the time.
Aside from 300, Wisdom’s other notable venture was the television series Dominion. He portrayed Archangel Michael in this role.
Tom is now 49 years old and has stretched his acting career beyond movies and television shows. He has also performed in the theater.
Though this film, 300, was released in theaters in 2007, it will undoubtedly be an evergreen film for audiences. The way Edward Syndar directed each scene in this film, and clearly, the performers nailed their roles, make 300 a must-watch film for everyone.