Beckinsale Back, Against Her Will, for 'Underworld 4'

I like Kate Beckinsale. I don't understand how she never became a more reliable star. It didn't happen, though, and so now, after leaving the Underworld franchise, she's back in the leather bodysuit. And there was much rejoicing. Bloody Disgusting reports that Beckinsale will be in the next installment, which, naturally, is going to be a 3-D onslaught. But there's a caveat: Apparently, Beckinsale doesn't want to be in Underworld 4, that she's contractually obligated to return and she's trying to weasel her way out of it. At the very least, the report says, Kate is bucking for a smaller role. Her husband, Len Wiseman, will direct again, just as he did the first two films, and given Beckinsale's retrograde career arc, I'm a little surprised to learn that she may fight this. What else does she have, really? I get why she left the franchise, but no matter how good she looks or her how well she did with some serious work (a Golden Globe nomination a year ago), it's just not registering. The film is supposed to be released next January, and if Beckinsale is reducing her role, that will probably mean a quick rewrite (frankly, would it matter?), but because of the 3-D aspect, this has to get in front of cameras by early this summer to stay on course.

Comments

[Boyka]

This is one of those "catch 22" situations for Kate Beckinsale. On one side you have Kate's husband who has everything to gain from directing this movie ( so long as it holds up to standards), and virtualy nothing to lose. On the other side you have Kate, trying to further her acting carrier wich depends highly on large number of factors.
In my opinion, makeing a successfull carrier from acting depends tremendously on chosing carefuly from an ungodly amount of desisions thrown your way on a daily basis. It could be anything from 1) who you allow yourself to be sceen with to 2) being caught outside on a no makeup and sweatpants day to 3) getting a lead roll from your spouce.
I believe she is extreemly nervouse about about getting this roll yet again from her husband. And I can understand her point in this. She doesn't want her fans to feel she is being handed a job she wants to earn it. But I feel she need not worry. Her talent shows in the previouse Underworld films. So much so that I honestly cant imagine anyone ells staring in what is rightfuly her roll. If she were not to exept the part for this film (wich would be in her right) then I pray that the descision is made to just drop it all and cut their losses because anyone ells playing that roll would just ruin it all for me. It would be very refreshing to see movies that are done right or not at all. Dont just pick a filler for the part and try to milk the film for "one last cash crop" like they did with The Mummy.