Kate Beckinsale Aims to End Vampire-Werewolf War in ‘Underworld: Blood Wars’

Sandra Miska

The saga of vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale) continues in “Underworld: Blood Wars,” which is the fifth film in the “Underworld” franchise, shows the heroine risking her life to end a centuries-long conflict between two races.

The story of “Blood Wars” picks up with Selene continuing her battle against the collective of werewolves known as the Lycan Clan, as well as the vampire faction that previously betrayed her. In order to get back in the good graces of her former allies, Selene, who is known as a master Death Dealer, pledges to do her part to end the eternal war between vampires and werewolves. To accomplish this, she trains young recruits to go up against the Lycan horde under its new leader, militant Marius (Tobias Menzies). Joining forces with her are protégé David (Theo James) and his father Thomas (Charles Dance).

The stakes are extra personal for Selen in “Blood Wars,” as she discovers that a villainous, ambitious vampire named Semira (Lara Pulver) is out for blood, literally, as she as on the hunt for Selene’s daughter, Eve, a vampire-Lycan hybrid. Semira seeks Eve because she believes the young woman’s blood has special powers. Also on the hunt for Eve is Marius, as he believes she is the key to destroying the vampires. Having cut ties with her daughter years ago for the girl’s own protection, Selene now must do everything in her power to save her.

Despite being such an integral part of the plot, Eve only appears in “Blood Wars” in distant shots with a stand-in, as well as through archival footage from previous films featuring actress India Eisley. Her father, Selene’s vampire-Lycan hybrid lover Michael, has been recast from Scott Speedman to Trent Garrett.

“Blood Wars” is the feature debut from cinematographer and visual effects artist Anna Foerster, who previously directed episodes of the “Outlander” series. “Underworld” fans who have followed the franchise from the beginning can look forward to seeing how a woman in the director’s chair shapes the character of Selene and her journey.

“Underworld: Blood Wars” opens Jan. 6 nationwide.