Underworld Awakening

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has revealed early details for its DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D release of Underworld Awakening.

The fourth chapter in the series - which grossed an estimated $62 million domestic and $140 million worldwide - will arrive May 8th.

Sony is also prepping another Underworld box set which will include all four films in the series.  Official specs for Awakening and that box set have not been announced.  There is some art swirling about for the DVD, however, it's fan art and we'll update this spot when the official package art is in.

In an effort to keep its performance strong at the box office as it enters into its second weekend, Screen Gems has released this reel for Underworld Awakening that meshes San Diego Comic-Con interviews with fresh clips from the fourth film.  Head inside for Lycan versus vampire action and plenty of Kate Beckinsale doing her thing as Selene.  For all of our past coverage regarding the film, now in release, visit this spot!  There you'll find our review and answers to some questions the fans might have about the lack of Scott Speedman as Michael.

When we last left Selene and Michael, for those keeping track, in Underworld Evolution, there were a whole bunch of dead Lycans, dead vampires and dead vampire elders. 

Selene was now a vampire impervious to the sun’s rays and her handsome beau, Michael, was a vampire/Lycan hybrid who could miraculously cheat death or something.  Then the franchise leaned back into the past for a “Spartacus with werewolves and cliff-side sex” prequel called Underworld Rise of the Lycans.  With that story out of the way, there was nowhere to go but forward.

And Underworld Awakening - a tireless, but repetitive and empty sequel – has gone forward, way forward.  Twelve years ahead of Evolution, in fact.

Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Michael Ealy and India Eisley converged on a Beverly Hills hotel this month to talk Underworld Awakening.  Shock was there, naturally, to learn more about the fourth film in the franchise which opens this Friday, January 20 in 2D, 3D and IMAX.

After the jump, hear about Ealy's surreal on-set Lycan experience, Beckinsale's "bullet squeeze" face, James' whip lessons and how the newcomers adjusted to entering into the series.

Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.

The Underworld franchise, which began in 2003, is coming up on the release of its fourth chapter, Underworld Awakening, on January 20. 

The franchise has garnered die-hard fanatics over the last nine years with Kate Beckinsale – as the svelte, ass-kicking Selene - being not just the masturbatory fantasy of many a teenage boy, but a powerful female symbol as well.  Each installment in the series is visually striking and unapologetically violent, reminiscent of a graphic novel come to life.  The camerawork, lighting and production design give each entry a baroque and blue effect that has given the franchise a visual signature. 

The Underworld films also embrace their R-rating wholeheartedly and are box office successes in spite of their rating. It’s all too often that contemporary horror films are watered down to appeal to the masses. Filmmakers are regularly sacrificing substance to get people in seats. It’s obvious that the creators behind this series – in this case Len Wiseman, Kevin Grevioux and Danny McBride - are making them because they are passionate about the story and are not willing to compromise their vision to net a larger audience.

While this series has never been my cup of tea, it is not without its collective merits. The effects in the films are too cartoonish and computerized. I prefer to see the use of props and make-up in lieu of CGI.   The plot of the Underworld films delves further in to the back story than it needs to for a film of its kind.  They are dense, laden with political drama and characters that you do not particularly care for, beyond Selene and Michael (Scott Speedman).  Underworld would have benefited from keeping things simple and straight-to-the-point, to keep viewers minds from wandering during long stretches of exposition that kill the pacing.  The action sequences are exciting and well done, however.

With a fourth film just around the corner, let’s take a look at the events that have transpired so far…

With less than a week now until the release of Underworld Awakening, fans are questioning: Is Michael (Scott Speedman) back?

For the last few months, we've done our hardest to get to the bottom of that question.  We spoke with Speedman, who denied an appearance in the fourth film.  Later, we caught up to the directors.  And when queried about the presence of Michael, they played coy, relishing the mystery surrounding the sequel.

Screen Gems has debuted, through Yahoo! Movies, another new clip from Underworld Awakening, hitting 3D, 2D and IMAX theaters on January 20th. The fourth installment in the franchise stars Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, Theo James, India Eisley and Charles Dance.

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Screen Gems has debuted a new one-minute clip from Underworld Awakening, hitting 3D, 2D and IMAX theaters on January 20th. The fourth installment in the franchise stars Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, Theo James, India Eisley and Charles Dance. Watch the clip after the jump!

Screen Gems has debuted, through MSN Movies, a new clip from their upcoming Underworld Awakening, coming to 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D theaters on January 20. Check it out after the break!

Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.

Ready for some Kate Beckinsale butt shots and gigantic Lycan action?  Then feast your eyes on the first television spot for Underworld Awakening, opening January 20.  

The 34-second preview packs in everything Underworld fans could want: Selene, gunplay, action, and another look at the big-ass beast this fourth film has at the center of its storyline.  Head inside now for a look.  Also, check out our exclusive interview with the film's directors Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein by following this link. 

Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.

At the end of Underworld Evolution, the film's principal ass-kicker, Selene (as played by Kate Beckinsale), spoke of uncertain futures and new beginnings.  Changes in the Underworld universe had occurred and fans were eager to see what those changes yielded.  Unfortunately, when that film came out in 2006, audiences didn't know they were going to have to wait six years to see the continuing adventures of Selene.  (In 2009, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans was released but presented a prequel story.)

Underworld Awakening's release is almost upon us, however, bringing with it Kate Beckinsale, a slew of new characters and more vampires versus Lycan mayhem.  And orchestrating it all this time is a pair of directors hailing from Sweden.  

Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein made their feature debut with 2005's Storm.  They followed that with the thriller Shelter, still unreleased in the U.S. and starring Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.  Underworld Awakening (opening January 20) is their biggest feat yet and Shock recently spoke with them about the experience and about their desire to make this the most kinetic, monster-filled Underworld entry yet.

Posting one-sheets is tricky business.  Sometimes, international art will pop up, throw the studio in a tizzy and we'll be forced to pull the poster down.  That was the case for one Underworld Awakening one-sheet that was released ahead of schedule and before the U.S. art made its debut.  Said poster has made a comeback, smokin' guns and all.  Head inside for a look.

Underworld Awakening opens in 2D and 3D on January 20.  Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.

Have gun, will travel...and look cool doing so.  Sony has released 10 more hi-res images from the January 20 release Underworld Awakening.  And a good chunk of these pics feature Kate Beckinsale and Michael Ealy brandishing firearms and "don't f**k with me" looks.

Following this morning's first TV spot, Screen Gems has also debuted a new Underworld "Legacy" video that gives a look back at the series to catch moviegoers up before they see Underworld Awakening on January 20th. The video features an intro by star Kate Beckinsale!

In the new film, also starring Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, Theo James, India Eisley and Charles Dance, Beckinsale returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.

The first TV spot for Underworld: Awakening made its debut tonight equipped with new footage and plot details.

Previous trailers focused on Selene's imprisonment, escape and subsequent ass-kicking.  The preview you'll find inside sheds a bit more light on a newcomer to the series - a young girl (India Eisley) who is apparently a vampire/Lycan hybrid.  But that's not the only surprise.  It seems Selene has to take on a monstrous creature in this installment directed by Swedish filmmakers Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein.

A second clip for Underworld: Endless War has popped up over the last 24 hours.  We presented another preview for the animated short film right here.  The clip you'll find inside presents a bit more "Selene."

Underworld: Endless War is the title of the new three-part anime hitting Blu-ray today.  Where do you find it?  In Sony's new Underworld trilogy "The Essential Collection" Blu-ray box set.  Yesterday, we gave you a peek at the short film and, now, we have a clip, courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

As we explained earlier, Underworld: Endless War finds Selene in the late 1800s tracking a trio of Lycan brothers in Paris, France. The three are posing as Lords and have called a castle in Paris their own. The vampire top dogs, for a particular reason, want that castle and to see the Lycan brothers dead. Part one of Endless War lays the groundwork for ultimately becomes a mission for Selene that spans over a 100 years. By the third chapter, Selene is joined by Michael in the hunt for the final Lycan.

This week, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment collects the first three Underworld films on Blu-ray and packages them in "The Essential Collection."  The incentive here for the die-hard fans?  A bonus disc which contains the three-part anime Underworld: Endless War.  Little is known about the anime's story, but Sony floated Shock an copy so we got a sneak peek.  Sadly, no publicity stills were provided, so we had to get creative, so to speak, with the capturing of some images.

What the fans should know first and foremost is that Endless War sees the return of Michael, the vampire/lycan "hybrid" who is apparently missing from the upcoming Underworld Awakening.  Also, the anime leads into the fourth film, presenting a glimpse of a world in which the humans know of both the vampires and the Lycans.

Head inside for images...

Perhaps Screen Gems should have called Underworld Awakening "a new beginning" as it sounds like the fourth film in the franchise will kick off a new spate of sequels.

Shock Till You Drop spoke to Awakening directors Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein this afternoon and they had something very interesting to say that will keep fans intrigued.

It appears two new photos from the upcoming Underworld Awakening quietly slipped past us.  Click inside to see what kind of trouble Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is into now and for another look at series newcomer Michael Ealy.

Update: Sony has informed us this was a promo for a new app which has gone live at the film's Facebook page.  Check it out right here!

A lunar eclipse is expected Saturday, and the publicity team behind Underworld: Awakening is planning something big.  Head inside to see a new image (of sorts) from the fourth chapter in the franchise and learn about Selene's "awakening."