Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans - January 2009

Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans - January 2009

Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans is being fast-tracked into production as a joint venture between Lakeshore Entertainment and Screen Gems. According to Variety, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy and Rhona Mitra have already signed on to star in the film.

Patrick Tatopoulos, the F/X man responsible for creating the creates seen in the first two films, is on board to direct this third installment of the werewolves vs. vampires franchise. This one will be a prequel, focusing on the origins of the centuries old feud between the Death Dealers and their onetime slaves the Lycans.

"In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom."

Danny McBride wrote the screenplay (but don't confuse him with the Danny McBride of The Heartbreak Kid and Hot Rod fame, this is a different Danny McBride). The film goes into production in January. Shooting will take place in Auckland, New Zealand.

They will star alongside Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy and Shane Brolly in the prequel that is set in the Dark Ages and traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires and their one-time werewolf slaves, the Lycans.

Directed by Patrick Tatopoulos
Produced by Len Wiseman, Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi and Skip Williamson
Written by Len Wiseman, Danny McBride and Kevin Grevioux
Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror, Thriller
Release Date: January 23, 2009

Casts:

• Rhona Mitra as Sonja
• Bill Nighy as Viktor
• Michael Sheen as Lucian
• Steven Mackintosh as Andreas Tanis
• Kevin Grevioux as Raze

The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.

Kate Beckinsale "NO" to Underworld 3:

It’s been reported here more than once that Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two “Underworld” movies, won’t be returning to part 3, “Rise of the Lycans”, and that Rhona Mitra will effectively be replacing her in the franchise. Now Kate has confirmed it to IESB — no “Underworld 3″ for her, not even a cameo!

More:

Kate Beckinsale revealed today at the junket for her new film, Snow Angels, that she won’t be returning to the Underworld franchise — at least not anytime soon.
Beckinsale did offer that she’d like to maybe one day “pull a Bruce Willis” and return to her character at 50. (How a vampire gets to 50, I have no idea.)
But unfortunately for fans, there’s no cameo appearance in the upcoming third film, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans due next year.

Shame, really, as no one looks better in tight leather than Kate Beckinsale. Seriously, if the girl gave up acting tomorrow and started a clothing line of tight black leather and did all the modeling for it herself, this thing would sell like hotcakes — all to guys, of course.