Eva Green Reflects on the Intense Sex Scene in ‘300: Rise of an Empire’ That Left Her Bruised

Movie sex scenes come in various styles, from tender moments to awkward encounters, and occasionally, one stands out as the most memorable aspect of a film. In ‘300: Rise of an Empire,’ that scene features Eva Green’s Artemisia and Sullivan Stapleton’s Themistokles.

The 2014 sequel to Zack Snyder’s original was directed by Noam Murro, with Snyder co-writing the script alongside Kurt Johnstad. It follows a Greek fleet led by Themistokles as they confront the Persian navy, heavily utilizing the franchise’s signature slow-motion violence. Lena Headey reprised her role as Queen Gorgo, and Rodrigo Santoro returned as Xerxes.

Recently, Green’s remarks about filming that notorious sequence have resurfaced online. Reflecting on the scene, she described it as more of a battle than a romantic encounter, revealing that she ended up with bruises all over her body. She even mentioned that she smacked her co-star during the shoot.

Green shared these insights in a 2014 interview with ShortList magazine, shortly after the film’s release. At that time, she admitted she hadn’t seen the final scene but had heard it was intense and brutal. According to her, the sequence revolved around two warriors striving for dominance rather than romance.

She also highlighted how little encouragement Stapleton needed, describing him as a strong Australian who took pride in his physique. Adding a humorous touch, she noted that he had to have his chest hair waxed for the scene. Green later told Total Film that they filmed two versions of the scene: a “nice” one and the more aggressive version that made it into the final cut.

In another interview during the press tour, she characterized the scene as a love-hate struggle rather than anything resembling traditional sex. Her comments collectively illustrate an actress who fully grasped the sequence’s intent and committed to it wholeheartedly.

In the film, Artemisia invites Themistokles to her ship under the guise of negotiation. When he refuses to switch allegiances, she resorts to seduction, leading to a rough and fierce encounter where both attempt to assert their dominance. The power struggle continues as she draws her sword afterward.

Critics noted the campy energy of the scene at the time. NPR remarked that the two characters tore each other’s clothes off during their first private meeting, unable to decide between love and war. However, some reviewers found the sequence uncomfortable, considering Artemisia’s backstory.

Despite mixed reviews, most critics agreed on one point: Green was the film’s standout. Many labeled Artemisia the most unforgettable aspect of the movie, with some arguing that her over-the-top performance warranted awards recognition. A recent retrospective from Far Out Magazine even declared the scene the most memorable moment in ‘Rise of an Empire,’ noting that Stapleton’s presence was overshadowed by his co-star.

This reputation aligns with what Green has become known for. She first gained mainstream recognition as a Bond girl in ‘Casino Royale’ and has since built a career on portraying striking, intense characters, including a lead role in the Showtime series ‘Penny Dreadful.’ Artemisia exemplifies her ability to dominate a film that otherwise struggles to make an impact.

The film itself received mixed reviews, with Time Out rating it 3 out of 5 stars, and others finding it less compelling than the original. Nevertheless, it continues to be rediscovered, primarily due to Green’s performance and the scene that remains a topic of discussion more than a decade later.

For a franchise known for its stylized excess, the fact that the most talked-about scene left its star bruised speaks volumes about the cast’s commitment to their roles.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!