The fans of the long-running vampire versus werewolf franchise "Underworld" can now rejoice as a recent casting report confirmed that actress Kate Beckinsale will reprise her role as Selene, the Death Dealer and Vampire-Corvinus Strain hybrid, in the franchise's yet to be titled sequel. The fifth installment is reportedly aiming for a 2016 release.
According to The Christian Post, the franchise's lead actress Kate Beckinsale "has signed on to reprise her vampire character Selene, in the fifth installment in the franchise from Lakeshore Entertainment and Screen Gems."
Beckinsale will be joined by "Divergent" franchise star Theo James who had a minor role as David in the previous installment, "Underworld: Awakening". Christian Post has noted earlier that the 30-year-old actor has previously said that he will no longer come back for "Underworld 5". Reports claim that James' character could possibly be given the spotlight in the forthcoming sequel as he could provoke the war between the Lycans and the Vampires.
As per Food News Network's report, "Underworld 5" will be directed by Anna Foerster who is well-known for her works in television series "Criminal Minds" and "Outlander". This will be the first time for the franchise to have a female director. Apart from the mentioned TV shows, she has also a good resume in directing movies having worked with "The Day After Tomorrow", "Independence Day", "10,000 B.C." and "White House Down".
"Underworld 5", according to the Hollywood Reporter, will follow a "new and younger generation of vampires and werewolves" and the never-ending battle between supernatural races. The franchise's first film, "Underworld", debuted in 2003. It was followed by "Underworld: Evolution" in 2006 and 'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" in 2009. Its most recent installment "Underworld: Awakening" was launched in 2012, grossing $160 million at the box-office.
The movie is reportedly aiming with a 2016 release with a production to commence in Prague, Czech Republic. However, the film's extensive post-production and visual effects work is speculated to push its release date to 2017.
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