Lakeshore Entertainment and Screen Gems are teaming to bring a third installment of the "Underworld" franchise to the bigscreen.
Bill Nighy - © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
Variety reports that special makeup FX wiz Patrick Tatopoulos, who developed the creatures for the first two films in the franchise, will direct "Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans," 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.
According to Variety, 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."
Variety reports that Sony's Screen Gems will distribute the film in North America, with Sony and Lakeshore distributing worldwide. Shooting will begin in January in Auckland, New Zealand.
This film marks Tatopoulos' full-length feature directorial debut. He is a frequent collaborator with Wiseman and Roland Emmerich, with whom he worked on "10,000 B.C.," "Independence Day" and "Godzilla."
Nighy recently wrapped "Valkyrie." He also appeared in "Notes on a Scandal" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films.
Mitra's credits include TV series "The Practice" and "Boston Legal" and the films "The Number 23" and "Shooter."
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