While Warner Brothers and Legendary Picture try and figure out who will step up and be the strong male lead in their 300 prequel, titled 300: Battle of Artemisia, they’ve gone out and found who they want to play the female lead.

It’s being reported that negotiations have began with French actress Eva Green for the job, which would see her playing Artemisia, a “ruthless, gold-covered goddess” who pushes the God-king Xerxes to build his massive army.

Green is best known for her roles in films like The Dreamers, Casino Royale, Kingdom of Heaven, and The Golden Compass. She also starred in the canceled Starz series Camelot and can be seen in the upcoming Tim Burton and Johnny Depp project, Dark Shadows.

Warrior and The Thing star Joel Edgerton was originally set to star in the prequel, but ultimately decided to pass on the project. What actors are currently being looked at is unknown at the moment.

While the movie, being directed by Noam Murro (Smart People) is technically a prequel, it’s said that the Battle of Artemisia unfolds around the same time as the Battle of Thermopylae we saw waged in 300. Jopes are that production can begin at some point in early 2012.

Who would you want to take on the lead role of Themistokles, the general leading the Greeks against Xerxes forces?

[Source: Heat Vision]