Despite previous rumors suggesting she was leaving it behind, it’s now been confirmed that Underworld franchise stalwart Kate Beckinsale will be returning for the upcoming fifth installment in the popular vampire vs. lycan series.
THR reports that Beckinsale is back as fan-favourite vampire Selene for Underworld 5 – which could be titled Underworld: Next Generation – and it’s set to be directed by Anna Foerster, marking the first time a female director has helmed one of the installments. Foerster has previously done second-unit directing work on many Roland Emmerich films including The Day After Tomorrow and White House Down, visual effects photography on Pitch Black and 1998’s Godzilla, and has also been announced as the director of the upcoming Source Code 2.
The fifth film was previously reported to be a reboot to the whole series but it’s actually just a further entry as normal. The script is being written by Cory Goodman (2011’s Priest) and although exact plot details are being under wraps for the time being, the sequel is said to, “focus on a new and younger generation of vampires and werewolves who are locked in a seemingly never-ending battle between supernatural races.”
Beckinsale first played the the kick-ass vampire role back in 2003, directed by husband Len Wiseman. Three sequels followed, including Evolution, Rise of the Lycans and Awakening. Theo James (The Divergent Series), who had a small role in the fourth film Awakening, has already been confirmed to return in his role as David.
Underworld 5 is set to start shooting in October in Prague.
Source: THR