Oct 26, 2007 by B. Alan Orange

Underworld 3: The Rise of The Lycans Heads Into Production

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.


Sources: Variety

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Comments (31)

  1. Mutant

    Why couldn't it be called Dark Ages. It sounds better than the other one.
    Once this film is done, go back and continue the story line. Prequels are just as lame but are entertaining to watch.

    3 years agoby @zenderFlag

  2. Vamp

    And NotToT, I think I agree with TheScubaman, have you even seen any? Michael is like the main storyline almost....

    4 years agoby @vampire2000Flag

  3. Vamp

    Actually I Like the title but the only thing that pisses me off so far is that Selene isn't going to be in it, I was hoping for more of an Evolution follow up...

    4 years agoby @vampire2000Flag

  4. T.Clark

    Still think the title sucks.

    4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  5. TheScubaman

    Wow NotToT, after reading your post, I have to wonder if you've actually seen any of the Underworld movies!
    Check your info, and see the movies, you're funny!

    4 years agoby @thescubamanFlag

  6. T.Clark

    Wow. I don't know any of u avatarless(yes, that's a word) people. This whole page is filled people I've never seen before on movieweb in the 2 months I've been a member...

    Anyway, the tile is really stupid. "Rise of the Lycans"? lame

    4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  7. NotToT

    I dont see how the more powerful Lucian will have a role in Underworld 4, since it seems he took Amelia's blood in the first installment. In underworld evolution if you look carefully his pulse was beating. People talk about Kate Beckinsale, but the real magnet was Lucian. I wanted to see a fight between Lucian and Viktor but then Viktor died an unglorius death at the hands of Selene. Amelia was bled dry but she didnt die, instead she went into her 'sleep' until someone can awaken her. She'll probably try to become hybrid too and hunt Michael and Selene ( i hope michael dies- he is so irrelevant in the storyline and i dont even know how he was able to kill the first ancient pure blood werewolf since michael's hybrid blood was so young) but then Lucian-hybrid will come and save the day. who knows maybe selene and Lucian will hit it off in Underworld 4.

    4 years agoby @nottotFlag

  8. twoskis

    I can't wait!

    For all you Underworld fans, come check out a cool forum, Lycan The Underworld:

    http://s11.invisionfree.com/Lycan_the_Underworld/

    4 years agoby @twoskisFlag

  9. Food4thought

    I think the prequel would be needed in order to continue to Underworld series.
    If the story is going to continue with Selena and Michael as the new King and Queen of the Underworld, we will need more about the history of who they are going to rule in order for what ever the solution is that will be needed, for what ever the problem will be in bringing all the decedents of Corvinus together into one big happy family or to understand why there might be another dispute that would lead to Underworld 5.

    By the time Underworld 5 comes around my hope is that it will involve some conflict related to the CIA and Jason Bourne will end up on the case but then he will find out he is a cousin of Michael Corvin and then JB will end up as a hybrid who works part time for the CIA and ends up saving the world in Underworld 6 from Aliens and the Predator with the help of X-Men.

    4 years agoby @food4thoughtFlag

  10. Mactruk

    I enjoied both underworld movies and still watch them today. I was hoping to see the next one to be continued from Underworld Evolution now that Marcus and William are dead and Selene being changed by the blood of Alexander Corvinus. I just hope that this prequel turns out to be as good as the first two, and after they are done with this prequel I just hope that they will finally continue on with Selene and Michael's battle with the remaining Lycans and Vampires being hell bent to destroy them for what they have done. Also the Mythology and secrets have all been explained in the first two movies, so by doing a prequel will only prolong what us fans really want to see and know. I also know that Selene was not turned until after Lucian had stolen the key to Williams cell, but that should not keep Kate Beckinsale from being in Underworld 3 since the part of Lucian getting the key is what caused Viktor to kill her family and turn her in the first place. So if anything she should be in the movie even if it is towards the end. So hopefully after they do this prequel they will begin to break new ground for the Underworld Trilogy.

    4 years agoby @mactrukFlag

  11. THE JOKER

    Underworld 1 was kind of slow

    4 years agoby @joel16Flag

  12. dbzgirl18

    I really dont understand why they are making the third a "prequel" its just not the right timing for it. After all they just said in the second that Selene was the future and now they are going to the past? I just dont think that is right. One cause everyone wants to know what is going to happen between Selene and Michael. And second everyone also wants to know whats going to happen to Selene now that she is even stronger then before. Also it just would never be the same without Kate and Scott! They are basically what made the movie, and without them it would basically just suck. Me and my friends all think that if they did make it into a "prequel" and not a "second sequel" like some websites are saying, that people would just go and watch it to make sure they didnt miss anything, but that basically we would all be disappointed after watching it and really not be into the next Underworld movies they make that much anymore. Because the Underworld movies were the best! But if they make this into a "prequel" in our oppinon it would just ruin the next movies.

    4 years agoby @dbzgirl18Flag

  13. cmack007

    To Be Honest With You I Didn't Care For Either Of The "Underworld" Movies. I Probably Will Go See This One But, It's Not On My "Movies To See" List.

    4 years agoby @cmack007Flag

  14. THE JOKER

    I know this isnt about underworld 3 but i hav the whole story on tranformers 2. Here it is. Megatron is dead, and the Autobots now live on earth in peace. However, in a distant galaxy, Starscream has declared himself the new leader of the Decepticons, which angers those loyal to Megatron, particularly Soundwave. Soundwave, who is able to give life back to fallen robotic organisms, leads his own band of Decepticons to earth to resurrect Megatron. To make matters worse, Starscream has heard of an energy source birthed from the Allspark by Sector 7, and he leads his own band to earth as well to take that source of energy. However, Soundwave cannot complete the resurrection without another energy source known as the Creation Matrix, which just so happens to be in the possession of Optimus Prime. With one band of Decepticons closing in on Optimus Prime and another band of Decepticons looking for the ultimate power, the Autobots, as well as Sam, Mikaela, and the former members of Sector 7, find themselves caught in the middle of a Decepticon civil war that could ravage the planet, and they must fight their way out of it in order to save the human species from extinction.

    4 years agoby @joel16Flag

  15. Frenzy2001

    I've been waiting to hear when this would start production. Glad it's sooner, rather than later.

    4 years agoby @frenzy2001Flag

  16. Love & Napalm

    Rhona Mitra as a vampire is good enough for me!

    4 years agoby @zomb13Flag

  17. dcrock

    I liked the second man you guys are rough on these movies.I liked them.They were just fun to watch.But i bet wolfman will make any of them look like a movie with a 10 dollar budget.

    4 years agoby @dcrockFlag

  18. Michael5

    First was better then the second. If they make a third it's gotta be better then the second. Even though the second was at least worth watching.

    4 years agoby @michael5Flag

  19. SpaceCowboy

    No thanks. Don't think another movie's gonna change the crappiness of the series.

    4 years agoby @SpaceCowboyFlag

  20. Rama's SCREEN

    Kate Beckinsale was the only reason why I watched the first two movies.
    The second was better cause there was more of her.
    Kate's a hottie.

    Underworld without Kate is like Blade without Wesley Snipes

    Rama's SCREEN

    4 years agoby @ramasscreen-comFlag

  21. nightwatchman23

    two movies were enough for me.

    4 years agoby @nightwatchman23Flag

  22. Brian

    Underworld shralps.

    4 years agoby @brianFlag

  23. CUPID

    both Underworld suck

    4 years agoby @cupidFlag

  24. btrobinson

    i liked underworld, thought evolution blew, but this could be interesting. wish beckensale was still in it though. rhona mitra will do just fine though!

    4 years agoby @btrobinsonFlag

  25. NO NAME

    I just hope it is better than Evolution!!

    4 years agoby @007freakFlag

  26. AnnoyingFilmCritic

    Hate to see Kate Beckinsale go, but that is old news...however, Rhona Mitra is HOT! Glad to see the 3rd installment finally in production.

    4 years agoby @annoyingfilmcriticFlag

  27. DaddyDow

    UNDERWORLD, thus far is an excellent take on Vampire and Werewolf lore. Not to mention that Kate Beckinsale is by far one of the most beautiful Vampires I have ever seen. She makes having long eye teeth very sexy ;)

    4 years agoby @sharedaddyFlag

  28. The Kwisatz Haderach

    Dont care too much for Underworld either way.

    4 years agoby @the-kwisatz-haderachFlag

  29. DaddyDow

    No Kate sucks, but Rhona Mitra is not all bad either.

    4 years agoby @sharedaddyFlag

  30. MaViNx

    screw this movie, no Kate no Underworld. It should go straight to video.

    4 years agoby @mavinxFlag

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