The January 2012 release date for the fourth Underworld was announced a few weeks ago, but a few more Underworld 4 details have now been confirmed.
We can put an end to the speculation about whether or not Kate Beckinsale will be squeezing back into Seline's vampy PVC. She will. It's official. And while the original rumour-mill suggested that she might be appearing in a tokenistic reduced capacity, the press release is pretty clear that Beckinsale will "take the lead".
We still think that might be spin though, since a role for Selene's daughter is also confirmed, which suggests some next-generation-type franchise torch-passing to us. An actress to play mini-Selene is currently being sought. As is a director, since series honcho Len Wiseman (Mr Beckinsale) will not be wielding the megaphone, although he is producing.
The surprise announcement, and potentially best news, is that J Michael Straczynski is working on the script, which was originally drafted by The Shield's John Hlavin. JMS was the brains behind the 90s TV space opera Babylon 5. More recently he wrote Clint Eastwood's Changeling, and he authored long runs of Amazing Spider-Man and Thor for Marvel, before defecting to DC's The Brave and the Bold. In other words, he knows his way around a fantasy plot and some smart dialogue.
No mention of Scott Speedman returning as Selene's vamp/wolf hybrid squeeze Michael yet. Shooting starts in Vancouver in March.