We aren't exactly sure how, but Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. are developing a sequel to the bloody semi-historical epic "300."

According to Variety, original "300" scribe Frank Miller is writing a new graphic novel that follows up the Spartan saga in some capacity. The trade paper says "300" helmer Zack Snyder will hold off on committing to the project until he's seen Miller's new book, but he has definite interest in sticking with the potential franchise.

The sequel possibility was first raised by the "300" team at last week's Saturn Awards, where several online sources including Collider.com scooped Variety.

The fact that most of the main "300" characters, including topliner Gerard Butler's Leonidas, died at the end of the story complicates sequel possibilities, but it shouldn't preclude either a prequel or a loosely related spinoff.

No matter how hard it might be to make a sequel work, it's no surprise that Warner Bros. would salute the effort. With a relatively tiny budget of $65 million, "300" opened at over $70 million domestically and went on to make more than $450 million worldwide.

Warners and Legendary are also both behind Snyder's spring 2009 adaptation of the comic classic "Watchmen."