Kate Beckinsale: No More UNDERWORLD For Her
Cult-fav hottie Kate Beckinsale put a stake in rumors that her character, Selene, would cameo in the currently-filming Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.
Sorry, fans, but it's official: Kate Beckinsale will not appear in Underworld 3 in any way, shape or form.
The erstwhile Selene confirmed at the February 27 press junket for her new film, Snow Angels, that, for the foreseeable future, her only involvement with the vampires-versus-werewolves franchise is "in a wifely, supportive type way." Spouse Len Wiseman, who directed Underworld and Underworld: Evolution, is in Auckland, New Zealand, producing Rise of the Lycans, which commenced shooting on 9th January.
"And my ex is the lead," said the Brit beauty of her daughter's father, Michael Sheen. "Family franchise."
Rise of the Lycans is being helmed by Special FX master Patrick Tatopoulos, who oversaw the creature effects on the first two flicks.
Sheen reunites with series veterans Bill Nighy and Shane Brolly, and Rhona Mitra has joined the saga for the new installment. According to MRDISGUSTING at Bloody-Disgusting, Steven MacKintosh (Underworld: Evolution) and Kevin Grevioux (Underworld) are returning, as well. However, the tiny IMDB cast list does not include MacKintosh, and Grevioux--who originated the saga with Wiseman and screenwriter Danny McBride--still is listed as "rumored."
But, while Beckinsale won't be joining them this time out, she did say she might like to return to her character one day--perhaps at Fifty.
"No offense Kate," commented Cinema Blend's RAFE TELSCH, "but I don’t think fans want to see you in that leather when you’re that age."
Production on Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is expected to wrap sometime in March. While there currently is no scheduled release date, the film is expected to hit theaters next year.
[Thanks to The IESB's SILAS LESNICK, WEBMASTER at Len-Wiseman.com, HEATHER at ReelzChannel.com, and JOSEPH B. MAUCERI at FEARSmag.]