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FIRST LOOK

First Look: Rhona Mitra in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

by Kevin Powers
July 26, 2008
Source: Entertainment Weekly

Even though her foray into ass-kickery in Doomsday was a little lacking, I have high hopes for the seductive Rhona Mitra in the upcoming Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. Entertainment Weekly brings us our first look at Mitra as the werewolf (aka Lycanthrope) Death Dealer, Sonja. Rise of the Lycans marks the third installment in the Underworld series, which was originally conceived by supporting actor and series regular Kevin Grevioux. The stories depict the centuries-old struggle between the two species, which became popular (in no small part) because of the latex and rubber battle attire donned by horror heroine Kate Beckinsale. Mitra steps in as the female lead this time around and seems to prefer the feel of a cold metal breast plate to the stretchy synthetics. Check out the first photos from the film below!

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Rise of the Lycans is actually a prequel to the two preceding films. While Beckinsale will be absent from the new film, Mitra is not taking over her role as Selene. Rather, the ballsy Brit with play Sonja, who is a secret lover of Lucian (Michael Sheen), a powerful leader of the werewolf clan that rises up against the Viktor (Bill Nighy), the vampire king. Since the film takes place in the Dark Ages, unlike the two before it, it seems natural that Mitra and crew are sporting armor this time around. Much of the cast of the previous two films will return in their same roles.

Not returning, however, is director Len Wiseman, who is also Kate Beckinsale's husband. Wiseman is still involved in a limited capacity, but newcomer and long-time production designer Patrick Tatopoulos will helm the film. Tatopoulos had a hand in the special effects and creature design for the previous Underworld films, along with many others in the sci-fi/horror space, including Pitch Black, The Cave and Silent Hill. That's not a bad resume, but it still leaves his ability to direct in question. All told, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is certainly a tweak to the series formula, but still promising in my mind. What do you think? Does Mitra look like a solid addition?

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Related categories: First Look, Hype

Lolly

The second Underworld movie was kind of a let down for me. I hope that this one will supply a fresh new take on the Underworld movies. I'm not familiar with Mitra so I'll give her a chance. Hopefully branching back to the dark ages won't turn off fans of the modern setting of the original Underworlds.
Guy

Thats what they think the Dark Ages looked like? Jesus, it'll be Pathfinder all over again. Also: breastplates with boobieplates? Seriously? Mitras OK, Nighy is great, movie will be a bunch of suck in shades of blue, grey and black. With rain.
Darren

I spoke with Bill Nighy by chance after watching a movie with my girlfriend. We talked about the making of the third installment and I was quite excited to find out about it. I think it will also be nice to see the majority of the same cast with some new faces that will affect the storyline. I have been wating for a Dark Ages Vampire movie. With Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Kevin Grevioux coming back i'm looking forward to it. Stephen Mackintosh is fun on screen as well. Bring it on.
Darrin

when i saw silent hill on that resume, i'm in. i loved that film.
Curtis

I really liked the first two films and im a bit dissapointed that Kate isn't coming back but we got the next best thing Rhona Mitra. I loved her in the not so great Doomsday she was damn sexy, im looking forward to the third film and im digging the pictures she looks just as good as Beckinsale, though one problem im not to fond of the breast Plate armor.
Ehh...

This will be lame. You can't beat Beckinsale in that outfit from the first two movies. This new girl is hot but she's no Kate.
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

She looks like Kate, but I have a sinking feeling for this one.
Django

Throw in a Beckinsale Mitra catfight scene and I'm THERE.
Pedro Moreno

Rhona Mitra looks like a FEMME FATALE, OH MY GOD LOOKS SO SEXY & HOT
thejugfather

looks good to me but no selene? that parts gona suck!
http://www.10tu.com/forums dRailer

I can't speak for this film, but the images confirm for me that Mitra would be a far better Red Sonja than McGowan. Although I doubt I'll see either film.
http://lost_giant.fortunecity.com ArcLight

I've loved Rhona Mitra for awhile now and can't wait to see her kick butt in this. And hopefully the werewolves get a fair shake after the pro-vampire propaganda of the first two movies.
http://werewolf-news.com Werewolf News

I'm with you, ArcLight-- here's hoping the werewolves have a role more important than serving as furry/pointy scenery for the endless vampire political drama-fest. Ooh! Betrayals! Ooh! Ancient allegiances dissolved! Ooh! Form-fitting outfits and mysterious red liquids in crystal goblets! Please. I hope there's some decent character development and storylines about the werewolves to balance out all the ostentatious vampire dreck. ...then again, could be that I'm biased.
http://www.10tu.com/forums dRailer

As far as the title in this film... it kind of sounds like vampires against... a symbiotic association of fungus and algae.
jbat

alot of fans want selene back but this story is not about her but that doesn't mean she couldn't be in it, or like some fans that argue the fact state selene was not even born yet. below comment might help you understand story line a little better as to why she could be in it. I think they might have messed up a little on the story line. If you pay attention closely, the reason selene's family were killed when lucien escaped after sonja's death, viktor feared that lucien would try to find William. viktor had to hide the location of william from lucien so he killed selene's family but could not bear to kill selene as she reminded him of his daughter sonja. Now if we look back the key was made for williams prison when selene was a young girl. luciens escape happened sometime after the key was made as viktor gave one of the 2 keys to his daughter that lucien took after her death. after luciens escape viktor killed selenes family then turned her later that night (now full grown selene) into a vampire. the story line according to the movies fall in the timeline when selene was eventually born and depending on how much time passed from luciens escape till viktor killed her father (responsible for building williams prison) and family is unknown to me. but if it were a short enough period from luciens escape and everything would certainly point to it being that way as lucien took sonja necklace with the key on it as a keepsake, and viktor would fear william being released then selene would definitly be able to be in the movie during this time period. in my opinion as a cameo apperance as the story most definitly does not revolve around her. I am anxious to see this movie being a period piece with or without selene but again i think it would have been better all around to add her in that way as to better tie the movie's together.
Epic

without kate beckansale, this movie has no purpose, Epic fail
http://www.friendster.com/theworm Grimjoww

Underwold is all about selene, without selene it wud be like an aquarium with no fish in it. >< I appreciate film makers efforts in adding a twist to the typical underwold ambience. The medieval setting is fine as long as the essence of the movie is still there. Essence = selene
Bethy

The series basically exists due to the fact that Kate wore latex thru out the 2 films. Without her and the latex the movie will fail
Daniel

Why? Why I ask you, did they take out Kate? Huh?!
Osi

Hrmm... Everything would be fine if the old actor for lucien was back..that factor alone ruins the film, as you CANNOT change casts without seriosuly "noob-a-fying" and creating the thought "this film must suck cause they didnt even have the budget to get that dude" Epic Fail?
Dianna

Everything would be fine if the old actor for lucien was back..that factor alone ruins the film, as you CANNOT change casts without seriosuly "noob-a-fying" and creating the thought "this film must suck cause they didnt even have the budget to get that dude" ??? Michael Sheen was Lucian in the first two, also.
Osi

As so it is...lol my bad I CANT WAIT FOR THIS MOVIE...WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT !!!!!!!!! =)
Lugann

To those of you not seeing this movie...great. I may be able to hang my feet over the seat in front and really get into this one. I agree with jbat in that it would have been cool for Kate/Selene to make an appearance but, (and rumor has it) Beckinsale just wasn't interested at the time. To those who saw the first two flicks because you're hot for Kate... (reality check, you and her?) never going to happen. Silly costumes aside... both women are from the UK, both the same height and only a few years apart. Head to head, Rhona (hands down) would kick the crap outta Kate... get over it! You know you're gonna see this movie. Lugann
sean m.

Well, if you have seen the first two movies, then you know the story of what will happen;Viktor the head vampire forbids his daughter to see Lycan leader Lucian and in defiance she gets pregnant with a hybrid. Viktor finds out and kills sonya in front of lucian. Sad, but we already know most of the story except for the extra little intricacies the writer and director come up with and hopefully maybe they leave possible room for a fourth. The first was awesome,the second was a shame ful dud and maybe this new(or should i say old new ) movie is at least decent.
danielle

you know im so upset that Kate won't be the lead and her husbands not directing that i dont know if i want to even see the movie noe =[ Kate is one of my favortite actresses
Yancy

Kate WILL be in this movie http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld_3
MAK

where's kate!!?!!! aaaaah!! the new girl just doesnt make the movie right. tsk tsk
Ashley

The reason why Kate isn't in it is because it's about Selene! Viktor's daughter. Selene doesn't come into the picture until years later when Sonja is dead. This is the begining. Showing why Lucian and Viktor hate each other so much.
Ashley

Sorry I meant to say it's about Sonja.