There’ll be more CG werewolves on the prowl When Sony Screen Gems and Lakeshore Ent. begin production on Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans, a prequel to the two successful action-horror flicks directed by Len Wiseman and starring Kate Beckensale. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the flick go before the lens in New Zealand in January with vfx guru Patrick Tatopoulos, who created effects for the first two installments, making his directorial debut.
Beckinsale and co-star Scott Speedman are not expected to appear in the prequel, which is reportedly set in the Dark Ages and explores the roots of the centuries-old clash between vampires and werewolves. However, Michael Sheen will be back as Lycan pack leader Lucian and Bill Nighy will reprise the role of top vampire Viktor. Rhona Mitra (The Number 23) will play Viktor’s daughter and Lucian’s secret lover.
Working through his Tatopoulos Studios, Tatopoulos has created creature effects for Godzilla (’98), The Chronicles of Riddick, Van Helsing, The Cave, Silent Hill and Resident Evil: Extinction, among others. Other recent projects include the upcoming Will Smith apocalyptic sci-fi/horror thriller I Am Legend and the Wesley Snipes genre offering Gallow Wakler.
Wiseman created the Underworld franchise, co-writing the first and second films Danny McBride, who wrote the third installment as well. Though Wiseman is branching out into other genres, his latest directorial effort being the summer blockbuster Live Free or Die Hard, he will stay involved as a producer on Underworld 3. Lakeshore’s Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi and Skip Williamson will also produce. Scott Strauss is overseeing for Screen Gems, which will distribute the pic in North America. Sony Pictures and Lakeshore will handle worldwide distribution.
