While the ‘Underworld‘ franchise was designed in a way that doesn’t require Kate Beckinsale (‘Pearl Harbor’,’The Aviator’) to continue playing Selene, it will be sad news for fans now that the actress has made it official she won’t be back. Beckinsale last appeared in the franchise in 2017’s ‘Underworld: Blood Wars’ and had already been working on these films for 13 years as the first ‘Underworld’ has been released in 2003. That is a long run to continue returning for a character.
The franchise created a film without her in 2009’s prequel ‘Underworld: Rise of the Lycans’ which didn’t fare well at the box office and the last outing also didn’t have a large turnout which had lured Beckinsale back. There hasn’t been any chatter about a new ‘Underworld’ film being made, but if it does happen, it will be without Beckinsale filling the leading spot.
The actress was just asked if she would ever have any interest in returning as Selene and very bluntly shared a negative response stating that:
“I wouldn’t return. I’ve done plenty of those.”
Ouch. Short and to the point but it at least leaves no room open for questioning as some of Hollywood’s stars have been doing in recent years. With no explanation given one could endlessly speculate if she doesn’t want to play the part again or had problems with the studio but likely, having spent thirteen years on and off as Selene, she’s just tired of it.
It probably doesn’t help that she divorced the franchise creator Len Wiseman in 2016. Wiseman hasn’t brought up a new movie at all since the last film was released but did initially toy with the idea of an ongoing television series. Likely, this would also not include an appearance by Beckinsale.
With her schedule free to pursue other movies, maybe someone at Marvel Studios could reach out and convince her to take a different action role!
Are you curious to see an ‘Underworld’ without Kate Beckinsale in the future? Do you think they would end up recasting Selene or follow another set of Vampires or Lycans going forward? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Source: Screen Rant.
