300 sequel release put back until 2014

The release of the highly-anticipated 300 sequel has been pushed back until 2014.

300: Rise of an Empire, the follow-up to Gerard Butler's 2007 comic book epic, was set to hit cinemas in August (13), but chiefs at Warner Bros. studios have decided to stall the release by seven months.

The film will now be shown next spring, at the same time of year as the release of the original, which proved a surprise hit for the company.

Warners' president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman explains the decision, saying, "Moving 300: Rise of an Empire to March 7 continues in the tradition of the first 300, and kicks off the spring moviegoing season in epic style. The film is on track to become all that audiences have come to expect from the franchise."