'Underworld 4' Coming in 3-D in January 2011

With vampires as hot as ever - the Twilight saga, a remake of Let the Right One In, and HBO's True Blood are to thank for that - Screen Gems sees no reason to stop making Underworld films, and in fact, Shock Till You Drop reports that a fourth movie in that now-lifeless franchise is less than two years away; the studio is reportedly comfortable in traditional its late January slot. The movies, of course, are about a neverending war between vampires and lycans, which is a fancy name for werewolves. Even though the third one, released this January with Rhona Mitra instead of Kate Beckinsale, was the least profitable, the movie made enough money when you factor in all the other channels outside of U.S. distribution. There's no confirmation about who might be in it, if it follows this year's prequel or bounces back to the Beckinsale/Speedman storyline. Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen are the only actors who have appeared in all three films to this point, but since Sheen got a reported $7 million for Twilight and his work in movies that require acting have earned him a great deal of respect, I doubt he's going to consider another run as Lucian, unless he already had a contract for multiple films beyond the prequel. One new wrinkle is that the fourth film will be shot in 3-D, which seems like an absolute waste of money since the last two films were so poorly shot you could barely make out anything going on in the action scenes. That's the trouble with everything happening at night, I guess. I'm not a fan of the series, but if you liked parts two and three, let me ask you: Is there really anything more we need to see here, especially invoking the 3-D gimmick? Because I thought the prequel was stretching it.

Comments

[Agburns25]

The only decent film in this trilogy was, and will remain, the first. It came at the right time and had some interesting action. Now, what we need is a reboot of the Blade franchise to take over the mantle of lesser vampire hunter movies. I have not seen the first twilight movie, but i am somewhat looking forward to the sequel, due to the bigger budget and new director. I would pay double for a new Guillermo del Toro made Blade reboot. Just think of how he has grown as a film maker and the way he uses technology and effects to further the story, not merely expensive eye candy.

[Lengthy Johnson]

Yeh, the first Underworld was the best.

But Rise of the Lycans was better than expected and actually better than the bloated Evolution.

With immortals spanning most of the interesting periods of human history, there is near unlimited potential for prequels and sequels.

The only limiting factor is the quality of the writing, as far as I am concerned.

[Mr.K]

I knew all the movies in the future will be made in 3D....

[Maia C.]

I liked all of the Underworld movies, but I'm a fan of vampire films and such. Evolution did have a little to be desired. Rise of the Lycans was decent because it went back to the beginning of the war between Lycans and Vampirees and explained some of the happenings. I do not, however, look forward to the fourth installment of the series. The main reason...3-D. I am sorry to those who disagree, but 3-D is a medium that has come and gone, years ago. Yet movie makers still insist on bringing it back now and then. I have yet to see a 3-D movie that is actually 3-D anyway. Why waste the extra money and time on that when you could spend that money and time making a much better movie overall. Just my opinion.

[Drewlovs]

I am a big fan of the underworls series, and the"legacy" parts of the movie where many critics seem to have the most problems is where I am the most interested. I'm having huge troubles putting together a timeline in my own mine of the movies, though. The fact that Viktor was such a revisionist works for the writers, but not for me. Yes, I suppose there could be better writing, yes, the action scenes could use a better director, but in all, they are entertaining movies.

As far as 3D part 4... blah. Worst, it seems like all the interesting aspects of the first 2 movies, such as MICHAEL, aren't even going to be involved... they are using Michael and Selene's offspring for the new "hybrid superbeing"? WHY? Lucian worked soooo hard to make Michael, and we find out in the last 5 minutes of evolution that Michael is indeed a super "more than meets the eye" immortal. And now they aren't going to take it any farther?? I am hoping for the best, but just like the Mummy III (yeah, I'm a sucker for action movies)... writers and producers these days seem to be far too willing to throw the baby out with the bath water.

[matt]

does anyone no of an offical trailer thats out or coming?