“300” was a blockbuster when it debuted in 2006, giving us action with a cinematic beauty not often found in those types of films. The soundtrack was a hit, as well, and the movie cemented Zack Snyder’s place in Hollywood as we all wanted to see what he would do next. Now, he’s written a sequel that shows us what happened to Leonidas’ widow, Queen Gorgo–played by “Game of Thrones” star Lena Headey–and she gets to wield a sword this time around.

Headey, who has seen plenty of action and bloodshed on “Game of Thrones”, says that training was a lot more difficult than she thought it would be.

“They teach you very basic moves, so you get these two big sticks like you’re a 4-year-old boy and then, if you don’t hurt anyone, they give you a plastic sword and you feel like you’ve passed a test,” Lena said. “I made it to the plastic, and then I hit a couple of guys in the nuts. Yeah… and I went back to sticks. I was downgraded.”

“300: Rise Of An Empire” tells the story of the Greeks and their war against Persian god Xerxes, but before Headey knew what the script entailed, she couldn’t figure out what the tale would focus on considering what happened at the end of the first film.

“At first I thought they’re mental, ’cause everyone’s dead, so I don’t know what they’re going to do. Is it gonna be a rom-com? Um… I meet a new Spartan,” Headey said. “I found it interesting two fold, ’cause I thought it’d be cool to see Gorgo from a different point of view and see what happens to her when Leonidas dies, which you didn’t see in the first movie. It just kind of brushes over that in terms of her point of view, and also I get to wield a sword, which I was quite happy about.”

The film opens on Friday, March 7.

Image via YouTube