Now that Screen Gems’Underworld 5has brought back franchise starKate Beckinsaleto reprise her role as the vampireSelene, the studio is starting to round out the supporting cast.Deadlinereports thatOutlanderstarTobias Menzieshas signed on to play a new Lycan leader named Marius.Theo Jamesis also confirmed to star, reprising his role as David from 2012’sUnderworld Awakening.
The project reunitesTobias Menzieswith directorAnna Foerster, who is making her feature directorial debut withUnderworld 5. The filmmaker directed the controversialOutlanderseason finale, whereTobias Menzies' character Frank Randall tortured and sexually assaulted Sam Heughan’s Jamie Fraser.Deadlinereports that this deal wasn’t easy to make, butOutlanderis a Sony-produced show, and since Screen Gems is a sister company to the studio, they most likely facilitated the deal.
Little is known about theUnderworld 5story, except that it is said to center on youngervampiresand werewolves who are stuck in a long-standing war between the two species. The project was initially conceived as areboot, with a script by Cory Goodman (Priest,Apollo 18), but it was later revealed that the story will instead center onTheo James' David. The initial report from last year revealed the studio is seeking actresses to play two new female characters, but they have not been cast yet.
TheUnderworldfranchise has never been a massivebox officejuggernaut, but they have always performed fairly well, for the budget they are given. The firstUnderworld, which hit theaters in 2003, earned $51.9 domestic and $95.7 million worldwide from a $22 million budget. The 2006 follow-upUnderworld: Evolutionfared a bit better, earning $62.3 million domestic and $111.3 million worldwide.Underworld 3: The Rise of The Lycans, the first movie in the franchise thatKate Beckinsaledidn’t star in, earned $45.8 million domestic and $91.3 million worldwide, from a $33 million production budget. The last installment, 2012’sUnderworld Awakening, brought backKate Beckinsale, earning a franchise-best $160.2 million worldwide ($62.3 million domestic).
Tobias Menziesmost recently starred inBlack SeaalongsideJude Lawon the big screen. Along with his role as Frank Randall inOutlander, the actor played Edmure Tully in HBO’s hit seriesGame of Thrones. What do you think aboutTobias MenziesjoiningUnderworld 5? Or are you over this franchise already?
