Beckinsale out of new Underworld film

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - British actress Kate Beckinsale, who starred in the first two "Underworld" films, will not return for the upcoming third installment in the fantasy franchise.

"Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans" starts production in January in Auckland, and will be a prequel to the first two "Underworld" films, which grossed more than $200 million combined worldwide.

The prequel is set in the Dark Ages and traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires and their one-time werewolf slaves, the Lycans.

Michael Sheen will reprise his role of Lycan master Lucian. Bill Nighy also will return as vampire elder Viktor. Rhona Mitra ("The Number 23") is joining the cast as Viktor's daughter and secret lover to Lucian.

"Underworld" creator Len Wiseman, who directed his wife Beckinsale in the first two films, will hand over the reins to Patrick Tatopoulos, who created the creature effects for those films. Danny McBride, who co-wrote the first two "Underworld" screenplays with Wiseman, penned the third script. Wiseman will serve as a producer. Sony's Screen Gems will distribute domestically.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter