Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

[CampNewBlood]

From Bloody-Disgusting:

This afternoon Bloody-Disgusting was one of the lucky 11 websites invited to join the "Masters of the Web" panel at the San Diego Comic Con. During the panel we were asked if we wanted to break any scoops to the audience who joined us. We revealed that Sony is going to announce Underworld 3 in the next week or two, which was doubled up by IESB who reported that special FX guru Patrick Tatopoulos will be at the helm! No official word on the return of Kate Beckinsale, but we're told she won't be squeezing into that sexy tight outfit for the PREQUEL. Watch for more news as it comes in.

That is gonna freakin' SUCK if Kate Beckinsale isn't in it. :mad: Well, it didn't say she won't be in it, but it will probably be a miniscule part.

[Killa Pimp]

From Bloody-Disgusting:

[That is gonna freakin' SUCK if Kate Beckinsale isn't in it. :mad: Well, it didn't say she won't be in it, but it will probably be a minuscule part.

Maybe, CNB:
That depends on what type of story they are trying to tell:

If its a true prequel,
How much could Seline actually be involved before she was turned?
Not much at all.

In the first movie I thought it was presented that it all started about 16 centuries ago after Corvinus survived some plague and had the kids that got bitten. The first war lasted like 600 years and her family was killed near the end of the battles that put the Lycan's underground so I think she was around 220 years old when the first movie started..

(I watched both a few months ago, apologies in advance for any errors)

Thats a helluva time frame

It may be nice to see a period piece, even though with the "Lost type" flashbacks, we've almost seen everything we need to see. But there are a lot more stories in this universe to tell.

I hope the movie just does the series justice.
I always found the first 2 to just lack that something that puts it into that "great" category.

Plus, I don't want to see the character of Selene running around in a 1700/1800's era Corset + big dress and lose the awesomeness of that tight current day outfit!!!:shy::angel:

[The Tall Man]

I've heard that Kate Beckinsale isn't going to do another Underworld... that's fine with me, but in fair exchange, she can't make another movie without wearing a tight catsuit ever again.

Honestly, they need to stop making these the way they're making them. I mean, I wish I cared about Selene or Micheal at all, but in two movies' worth, they didn't give me any reason to care other than "Katey-Bear's hot". Write another film that's about THEM, not about shootings or flips or shit like that.

And I've got another question? Does Selene ever have dry hair? It seemed like in the second movie, her hair was in a perpetual state of wetness.

T.M.

[Titan]

If Kate Beckinsale won't be in it then I won't be interested in seeing it.

[Undrtkerkane]

The only reason why alot of people saw the movie is Kate in tight black outfits :drool: .... if they dont cast her, then why make the movie.

Second one already told the backstory, no use to even touching on that again and the first one was about Micheal Corvin. If they were to do a 3rd one, set it in the future and show her walking among the light and have vamps and lycans chasing her and micheal, but 2 hours of that can get boring :jason:

[CampNewBlood]

If Kate Beckinsale won't be in it then I won't be interested in seeing it.

Same here.

[Shoesalesman]

If Kate Beckinsale won't be in it then I won't be interested in seeing it.

I'll agree with that too. Unless it's a great fuckin' storyline matched with superb actors... I'll pass.

[jayTL]

didnt the second one tell enough backstory?

Just give me a damned directors/extended cut and Ill be happy *shrug*

[hack slash]

starts filming in January

Underworld 3 Shooting Dates
Source: The Techos' GuildOctober 24, 2007


According to The Techos' Guild website, Sony's Underworld 3 is shooting between the months of January and March next year in Aukland, New Zealand.

The next chapter in Len Wiseman's vampires versus lycans action-drama is said to be a prequel, but don't expect Len behind the camera this time, FX artist Patrick Tatopoulos is finally making his directorial debut. Still no word if series hottie Kate Beckinsale will be back.

[Chex]

I know I'm behind and all, but that's news to me that Wiseman won't be returning to direct.

[The Tall Man]

I can do without Len, but no Katey-bear, no dice.

Sidebar: John McTiernan was sentence to three months or some such in prison for purgery. When I saw the headline over at imdb, it sdaid "Die Hard director sentenced to prison" and hand-to-God, I seriously thought "It's about damned time somebody arrested Len Wiseman."

T.M.

[Esten]

No Beckinsale? So, is this going direct-to-video?

[Nick Michalak]

We'll probably get Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly, and maybe Tony Curran. Though, without Kate Beckinsale, the film does lose a good deal of attraction. Unfortunately, I can't see much new light being shed on the Underworld mythos with a prequel. There were already so many flashbacks in both films that the entire story is pretty well summed up. Of course, if they made another sequel, I could only see it involving some stupid gimmick like Selene having a hybrid child that becomes the new vampire-lycan messiah, and I just couldn't stomach that.

-NJM

[The Tall Man]

Though, without Kate Beckinsale, the film does lose a good deal of attraction.
"Good deal"? Try "all".

Seriously, was there anybody out there who really cared about what was going on in these things?

That's the big problem. Underworld 3 or 4 or whatever HAS to be about Selene and Michael and not stunts, explosions, or backflips. That's the only way another film has any bidness being made.

T.M.

[The Dream Master]

The way I see it, an "Underworld" prequel is about as necessary as an Elm Street prequel. Didn't part two pretty much tell us all we need to know?

[Scarecrow]

I thought Underworld was poor, n interesting story trying to struggle out of a mess of gun-porn and slow-mo, Matris-lite. I felt "!Underworld: Evolution" was actually an improvment and I was glad they didn't do the usual sequel thing of "kill Michael cause everyone likes Kate, despite how important he wa sin the first one" although they did do away with the villain of Part 1 in that fashion. Still, they weren't great and Tall Man is right really, need some more character stuff and less gun-porn. And maybe not an over-complicated-for-its-own-good plot as well.


- Scarecrow

[Patrick]

All this prequel crap. It's another phase Hollywood is going thru along with the remakes.

[Nick Michalak]

The Underworld franchise is not the most lively pair of films, but it has a potential to get better. The main things that dragged down the first were, again, the excessive shoot-outs and Matrix effects, but also the flatness of the characters. Everyone was so terribly serious it just drained the potential enjoyment out of the film. Plus, the plot was too overcomplicated to the point where, by the time you knew who were the real villains, it was too late to care. In Evolution, it was a little lighter, but lacked any scope. I just never got the feeling that Markus' plan was threatening on a wider scale since the scope was so narrow. They killed off too many people in the first film, and left no one but Selene & Michael to carry over. Should've at least kept Lucian alive - excellent character!

-NJM

[Chex]

All this prequel crap. It's another phase Hollywood is going thru along with the remakes.

If I'm not mistaken though, the prequel news for Underworld was released when news of the sequel was given out. So this has already been established for a number of years.

[Scarecrow]

One of my major problems with the firts is it gets so convoluted that at one point you root for no one. You've discvered about the truth behind the werewolves and thus they are painted in a new, more sympathetic light. Yet Selena the main character doesn't yet know and thus you gte "cool" moments of her going round killing all the werewolves who we now know are just after some justice... it'd be actualy uncomofrtale viewing if it wasn't so unevolving anyway.


- Scarecrow

[Cody]

Title and details (http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=3178)

Variety has published more details on the Lakeshore Entertainment and Screen Gems prequel, to be titled Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans.

FX artist Patrick Tatopoulos, who developed the creatures for the first two films, is directing with Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy and Rhona Mitra aboard to star. Underworld creator Len Wiseman will produce alongside Lakeshore's Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi and Skip Williamson.

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.

Danny McBride wrote the screenplay.

"For the first time we will experience the 'Underworld' universe through the eyes of the Lycans," Wiseman said. "Patrick has always played such an essential part in helping to create 'Underworld' from the start. ... So I feel it is both exciting and fitting that (he) now takes the helm."

[The Tall Man]

From the creator of the American Godzilla...

No Kate, bye-bye.

T.M.

[Scarecrow]

Vaguely interesting premise and its setting removes the excess of gunporn though I suspect they'll find a way to replace it. Crossbowpron perhaps? :p


- Scarecrow

[Cody]

After the posts comparing Rhona Mitra and Kate Beckinsale in the Doomsday thread, the news (http://www.scifitv.com.au/Blog/2008/03/Underworld-3-Shooting-In-New-Zealand/) that Mitra is playing the lead in Underworld 3 seems very fitting.

The prequel to the Underworld movies, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, takes us back in time for swashbuckling mediaeval vampires vs werewolves action.

Directed by famed production designer, Patrick Tatopolous, the film features the return of Michael Sheen as Lucian and Bill Nighy as Viktor, and sees the full appearance of Sonja, Viktor's daughter, vampire lover of werewolf Lucian and cause of all the fuss that is the thousand year war between wolf and bat, played by Rhona Mitra.

We can confirm that the production values of sets and costumes are extremely high, the story is bold and the pedigree is pure, with original director, Len Wiseman producing and writing, and Tatopolous having worked on the first two films.

The sets are immense.

As we get closer to release date we'll publish on-set interviews with all the major cast and crew, alongside pics and vids. As helmer Tatopolous says, it's the 'cousin' of the first two films, with the story focused on the history of the werewolves and their rise from slavery.

Cool things to get excited about are new and sexy vampire armour, Mitra in kickass form, big battles and a bold and brutal style to the film that pays homage to the original flicks, but takes the Underworld saga into new territory.

[Deathscythe]

I can do without Len, but no Katey-bear, no dice.

Sidebar: John McTiernan was sentence to three months or some such in prison for purgery. When I saw the headline over at imdb, it sdaid "Die Hard director sentenced to prison" and hand-to-God, I seriously thought "It's about damned time somebody arrested Len Wiseman."

T.M.

A shame, I miss McTiernan.

Predator, Die Hard, Hunt for Red October, Thomas Crown Affair Remake, all classics in my eyes.

[Scarecrow]

I hope they do somethign decent with Lucian, make him sympathetic and really treat the characters well. Might be watchable then. :p


- Scarecrow

[The One and Only]

The Underworld:Rise of the Lycans panel from the San Diego Comic Con. (http://www.joblo.com/arrow/index.php?id=13181)

[The One and Only]

Trailer for Rise of the Lycns. (http://www.joblo.com/arrow/index.php?id=13359) Enjoy.

[hack slash]

looks cool
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/underworldriseofthelycans/high.html

[The One and Only]

Underworld:Rise of the Lycans, will be getting an "R" rating for "bloody violence, and some sexuality":bow:. And also , take a gander at the poster for the flick featuring Bill Nighy looking pretty fly. (http://www.joblo.com/arrow/index.php?id=14580)

[Rich]

Now this movie looks amazing! I can't wait to see the epic battle between the vampires and the werewolves. I will be rooting for the werewolves, since they are my favorite monster characters. :D

Now this is the kind of film that I hope is nothing but 90-100 minutes of monsters and mayhem.

[i am SAW]

first one was decent, didn't like the second, and this one looks even worse.

on a side note, the first time i saw Kate Beckinsale i thought she was Rhona Mitra. now Kate Beckinsale isn't in this 3rd film, but Rhona Mitra is. maybe they were hoping people would think she was Kate.

[Rich]

I did not care for the original Underworld and never even saw the second one, but this one looks too cool. As long as it is a huge war between the two species, I'll be fine with it. If they make you sit through too much story line in this one, I'll be pissed. It is vampires vs. werewolves, what more do you need?

If they do this film right, it will be a huge event popcorn flick that does not oversaturate the audience with too much plot and delivers a hell of a lot of monster action and great special effects. This is the kind of film that should be a turn your brain off movie.

[Scarecrow]

Can't imagine there's too much story to tell as all the important details are already known from the first two films. In many ways it's pointless but I actally think it looks to be the best one.


- Scarecrow

[Nick Michalak]

Saw this yesterday. At best, it's maybe a 7/10. That's mainly because the action scenes are a lot more exciting than the previous two films (swordplay over shootouts), but frankly, it adds nothing new to the franchise. Another example of why prequels are entirely pointless. Yes, they add more detail to the backstory, but nothing Earth-shatteringly new is revealed. Extra detail, but no extra depth.

The film centers on one plot only - Lucian's freedom from Viktor, liberating his brethern from their vampire captors. No subplots to add in more mystery, depth, or background. The cast is also very narrow - Viktor, Lucian, Raze, Sonja, & Tanis are it. No Markus, Amelia, or Kraven. I'd prefer to see more of Markus or Kraven, and actually give Amelia some serious screentime, develop her character into something pallatable. I'd prefer to see the genesis of the conspiracy between Kraven & Lucian. I saw Shane Brolly's name in the IMDb credits, expecting him to show up in the film - he doesn't. All you get from him is a voice over using dialogue from the first film. He never physically appears in the film. And Tanis is just there to be there. Could've been anyone. Underworld: Evolution provided him with such a wealth of character and quality, it's sad to see him reduced to a shallow role here.

What's actually worth a damn here is the acting quality from Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, and Rhona Mitra. The three leads all deliver enough strength and weight to keep the film from sinking into total blah. And yes, the cinematography is still engulfed in this dismal, bleak blue tone. Continually draining the film from it all, and worse yet, it appears the film is lit even darker than the last two. Probably will look a hell of a lot clearer and sharper on DVD (certainly Blu Ray), but in terms of a projected film presentation - it was soft and difficult to distinguish a lot in certain shots. But the cinematography all over isn't very impressive. At least the first two films had a sense of scope with their photography.

Also, comparing the flashbacks in the first film to scenes in this - there are continuity errors. Mainly in terms of the sets and props used. And yes, Sonja was a blonde in Lucian's blood memory flashbacks. Really, this film is about mediocre. Meaning, it's about the same as the rest of the franchise.

-NJM

[The Dream Master]

Yeah, I thought this was pretty mediocre. I didn't even think the action scenes were all that good because many of them were almost incoherent; plus, it was a bit like watching a video game for the most part. I'm not one of those people that pisses and moans about CGI work because I think it has its place, but it just didn't work well here (especially the gore). I did like Sheen a lot--he was definitely the center, but I thought Nighy chewed the scenery quite a bit in some scenes.

That said, I'm not a huge fan of this franchise, but I thought this was easily the worst of the three. It's worth a look if you absolutely need the confirmation that Selene did, in fact, look a lot like Victor's daughter because that seemed to be the ultimate point of this movie. :X

[Penhall]

Saw it last night and I thought it was good. But the picture was too damned dark. I had a hard time making things out on the screen at times, but I think it may have been the crappy theater I was in.

But I've noticed that many movies in theaters look kinda dark, and then the DVD is just fine. The TCM remake was a great example. I couldnt make out hardly anything during the final chase in the theater, and then on DVD it was perfectly lit.

[Apocalypto]

Definitely better than the first film and probably better than the second. I cared more about the Lucian/Sonya love story than I did about Selena and Michael, mainly because of the lack of Speedman and his wooden acting, Mitra was better than I expected, leaps and bounds ahead of her drone-like performance in Doomsday, and I liked the slavery storyline quite a bit more than the plots of the first two.
With all the scourgings and freedom speeches it sort of felt like Braveheart with werewolves...with a touch of The Passion of the Christ thrown in.
Great performances by Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen.

[WOLF]

Underworld is not the way I'd make a movie about vampires vs werewolves. Neither would use guns if I had my say. Also, the series borrows too heavily from other movies. The FX ranges from great (Marcus) to blah (alot of the werewolves).

But it is what it is, and I can enjoy what's there. I completely understand why somebody would not like these movies.

I liked the third movie. I think the setting is more fitting for the two monsters (swords are better than guns). The story is straight forward but Victor, Lucian, and Sonja are all strong characters thanks to their actors. The movie is very dark...as in hard to see anything. I'm pretty sure this was to hide the limited budget. Also, you could have replaced vampires with humans in most of the movie. Sure, Victor and Sonja can flip through the air with ease. But the others pretty much stand there and fight with swords and get eaten.

[Apocalypto]

I didn't care for the first film, found it quite boring, full of generic shoot-outs and not enough of its two best characters (who carry this film).
Plus, as mentioned above, I found Speedman's acting very bland.

I did however really like the visuals, I thought the sets and werewolf effects were really good in all of the movies.

[skuppy]

Saw this yesterday and enjoyed it. A lot more werewolf screen time in this film, more so than the previous two combined! I think it leads up to the first film quite nicely.

As for the darkness issue, it must have been the theater you were at cause I could see everything fine at the screening I attended.

[Darth Reaper]

I liked this movie. It's not perfect but it's enjoyable.

One thing that I'd like to see them do in the future (if this franchise has a future) is to show a human reaction to the Vampires and Lycans. Say that there's a militia out there of humans who know about the existence of these creatures and they've declared war on both of them. Mankind has been preyed upon and manipulated by both groups for ages and been caught in the middle of their wars, this group has had enough and is determined to destroy them both.

I'd also like to see how Dracula could fit into this mythology. I see him as being someone who was brought into the ranks of the vampires but wasn't very good at being subordinate to others, so he broke away from the Coven and began his own empire.

Most versions of Dracula have powers and abilities that UNDERWORLD's vampires don't demonstrate, so I was thinking about ways to explain that here.

One is to say that these stories of Dracula possessing powers beyond other vampires are simply stories that aren't true. Maybe Dracula himself even nurtured these stories in order to add to his mystique and scare his enemies.

Or, (and I think I kind of like this one better) you could say that when he became a vampire, Dracula underwent a freak mutation, one that has never happened before or since, that altered his brain and gave him psionic abilities. He now has such abilities as telekinesis (which he can also use to levitate his own body), hypnosis, and creating illusions. He can't really shape-shift into things like a bat, or wolf, or mist, but he can make it look like he has.

Finally, I'd like to see them at least bring Raze back for another film. I know that Viktor took him out pretty good in the first film, but I figure that they could say that he underestimated Raze's strength. Raze could just barely survive and one of the other Lycans could have carried him away to safety. And, in the time that passess he recovers from his injuries.

Underworld is not the way I'd make a movie about vampires vs werewolves. Neither would use guns if I had my say.- Wolf

On one hand I hear what you're saying Wolf, but on the other I have to disagree. To me it just makes sense that the Vampires and Lycans use guns in modern times. Why try to take your opponent out up close when you can take them out from a distance? There's a part of me that thinks they'd look foolish if they were trying to take eachother out with their hands and with blades when they could be using automatic weapons.

[Nick Michalak]

Somewhat odd that Underworld: Evolution had a production budget of $45M while this film had only $35M. The first film only had $22M to work with, and frankly, looks about 300% better than 'Rise of the Lycans.' And I mean lighting, cinematography, CGI, and overall set designs. I guess it's tough to light a film set in the dark ages, before electricity, where it's all set at night. Everything's either lit by fire or moonlight - making for a poorly lit film. And why did Viktor have the blue 'bloodlust' eyes throughout the film when no one else did, and no one else ever has? Just a cheap attempt to make him look scary?

-NJM

[El Rooto]

I saw this yesterday and thought it was alright, definitely better than Underworld: Evolution. Michael Sheen's performance was great.