Underworld (2003 film)

Last updated

Underworld
Underworld (2003 film) poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Len Wiseman
Screenplay by Danny McBride
Story by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Tony Pierce-Roberts
Edited byMartin Hunter
Music by Paul Haslinger
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 15, 2003 (2003-09-15)(Grauman's Chinese Theatre)
  • September 19, 2003 (2003-09-19)(United States and United Kingdom)
  • January 29, 2004 (2004-01-29)(Germany)
  • April 22, 2004 (2004-04-22)(Hungary)
Running time
121 minutes [2]
Countries
  • Germany [5]
  • Hungary [5]
  • United Kingdom [5]
  • United States [5]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$22 million [3]
Box office$95.7 million [3]

Underworld is a 2003 action horror film directed by Len Wiseman in his feature film directorial debut, from a screenplay by Danny McBride, based on a story by Kevin Grevioux, Wiseman, and McBride. The film stars Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly, and Bill Nighy. The plot centers on the secret history of vampires and lycans (an abbreviated form of lycanthrope , which means werewolf). The main plot revolves around Selene (Beckinsale), a vampire Death Dealer hunting Lycans. She finds herself attracted to a human, Michael Corvin (Speedman), who is being targeted by the Lycans. After Michael is bitten by a Lycan, Selene must decide whether to do her duty and kill him or go against her clan and save him.

Contents

Underworld premiered at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California on September 15, 2003, and was released in the United States on September 19, by Sony Pictures Releasing. The film received generally negative reviews from critics, but a smaller number of reviewers praised elements such as the film's Gothic visuals, Kate Beckinsale's performance, and the extensively worked-out vampire–werewolf mythology that serves as the film's backstory. A surprise hit, the film grossed over $95 million worldwide against a production budget of $22 million and originated a franchise.

The film was followed by Underworld: Evolution in 2006.

Plot

For generations, vampires and Lycans, an ancient species of werewolf, have secretly waged war. The vampires gain the upper hand when Lycan leader Lucian seemingly dies at the hands of vampire Kraven, who becomes the second-in-command to the vampires' leading elders. Selene, a member of an elite group of vampire assassins known as "Death Dealers", continues to pursue the extermination of the Lycans despite other vampires no longer perceiving them as a threat.

During a clash with the Lycans, Selene discovers that they are looking for Michael Corvin, a seemingly ordinary medical student. Disregarding Kraven’s insistence to ignore the situation, Selene privately investigates Michael. After approaching him, the pair find themselves pursued by a group of Lycans led by Lucian, who is still alive and manages to bite Michael during their escape. Since Kraven was the only witness to Lucian's supposed death, Selene comes to suspect that he lied about killing him and may be working with the Lycans.

Selene prematurely awakens Viktor, a hibernating elder vampire and leaves to hide Michael in a safe house. Selene binds Michael, fearing that the Lycans' bite will transform him into a werewolf when the full moon rises. As the two of them bond, she gradually tells him more about her past, revealing that Viktor adopted her and turned her into a vampire after her family's death at the hands of Lycans, leading her to start a vengeful campaign against them, and that Michael's hallucinations are memories that Lucian passed down to him.

Selene returns to her coven's mansion. Furious about being woken early, Viktor refuses to believe Selene's warnings about Kraven's treachery and reminds her that his fellow elder Marcus was supposed to be awakened before him. Meanwhile, en route to the mansion to awaken Marcus, vampire elder Amelia, the current ruler of the coven, is later ambushed and killed by Lycans, who have tracked her with the assistance of Kraven.

Selene escapes the mansion and manages to capture and abduct the Lycan scientist Singe, while the Lycans manage to capture Michael. While held captive in the Lycans' lair, Michael soon learns that Lucian was once in love with Viktor's daughter Sonja, and that Viktor murdered her after he discovered their forbidden affair. Lucian claims that Lycans were once slaves of vampires, and the war began when they rose up against them and fought for their freedom.

At the vampires' mansion, a captive Singe reveals that Selene was being honest about Kraven's betrayal, and he reveals why the Lycans want Michael: vampires and Lycans actually have a common ancestor, which Michael is a direct descendant of. As an heir to the legendary "Corvinus" bloodline, he carries a unique genetic strain that could allow him to become a vampire-werewolf hybrid, which Singe predicts will lack the weaknesses of both species. An angered Viktor then kills Singe and mobilizes the Death Dealers to raid the Lycan’s lair to kill the remaining Lycans, including Michael.

In the ensuing showdown between vampires and Lycans, Selene breaks into the Lycans' lair to rescue Michael. Kraven and Lucian turn on each other, and the former tells Selene that Viktor was the one who really murdered her family and only spared and mentored her due to being reminded of his daughter. Selene is forced to bite a fatally injured Michael, believing that her bite will make him an immortal vampire-werewolf hybrid, while Kraven shoots Lucian, killing him.

When Viktor arrives at the Lycans' lair after the battle, he admits to murdering Selene's parents and killing his daughter. He also insists that he killed Sonja for the good of his people and reveals she was pregnant with Lucian's child, an abomination in the eyes of the two species. Lastly, he claims that he made Selene immortal because he loved her and proceeds to fight the hybrid Michael. Initially overwhelmed by Michael’s strength, Viktor eventually gets the upper hand and attempts to strangle him. Selene rouses from her disorientation and kills Viktor by beheading him with his sword. Now enemies of both vampires and Lycans, Selene and Michael flee the Lycans' lair together.

Back at the vampires' mansion, Marcus, now the sole surviving vampire elder, awakens after Singe's blood seeps into his sarcophagus.

Cast

Production

Development

In 2000, Danny McBride met Len Wiseman through Nick Reed, who was the agent for both of them with intent for them to work together on a script the former wrote. While the plans for that film fizzled out, they did set out a plan to work together. Kevin Grevioux had graduated from Howard University with a degree in microbiology, but he developed a desire to study film in cinematography and screenwriting. He dropped out of graduate studies and moved to Los Angeles, where he became an actor. He came up with the original concept for the film, which was inspired by Romeo and Juliet alongside his college studies, which based vampirism and lycanthropy on a viral mutagen rather than mythology. McBride and Wiseman soon stepped in to work on the script, which they soon set out to make a trilogy of films. Each received credit for their work on the film, and Grevioux also appeared in the film as an actor. [6] [7]

The film was the subject of a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by White Wolf, Inc. and Nancy A. Collins, claiming the setting was too similar to the Vampire: The Masquerade and Werewolf: The Apocalypse games, both set in the World of Darkness setting, and to the Sonja Blue vampire novels. White Wolf filed 17 counts of copyright infringement, and claimed over 80 points of unique similarity between White Wolf's gaming systems and the film. One of those points being that the vampires in Underworld "drink blood". White Wolf, Inc. also said the script was very similar to a story entitled The Love of Monsters (1994), which they published, written by Nancy A. Collins. [8] [9] In September 2003, a judge granted White Wolf an expedited hearing. The lawsuit ended in a confidential settlement. [10]

Soundtrack

Underworld (Music from the Motion Picture)
Soundtrack album
Released2003
Length1:07:07
Label Lakeshore
Producer Danny Lohner
Underworld film series soundtrack chronology
Underworld (Music from the Motion Picture)
(2003)		 Underworld: Evolution
(2006)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [11]

The film's soundtrack was produced by Danny Lohner and distributed via Roadrunner Records. Lohner (born 1970), a bass guitarist, guitarist, and keyboardist who has recorded with Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson, contributed several songs to the soundtrack under the pseudonym Renholdër. Lohner included a song by Skinny Puppy, a Canadian industrial band; a song by The Dillinger Escape Plan, a US band which performs an aggressive, technical style of hardcore punk called mathcore; a song by US alternative rock/post-hardcore band Finch entitled "Worms of the Earth"; a song by The Icarus Line, a band known for its abrasive form of rock music; and Lisa Germano, an American singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who specializes in alternative rock and dream pop.[ citation needed ]

Music critic Bill Aicher noted that the "soundtrack follow[s] in a similar gothic vein" to the visuals, and stated that it "does an excellent job setting the dark mood" by using "a veritable who's who in the genre", with an "impressive array of metal, hard rock, industrial, and otherwise gothic-themed tracks". [12] Aicher noted that since "a majority of the selections [are] written, produced, or featuring Lohner, the album retains a sense of cohesion throughout, making it much more a complete product than has generally been the case with similarly-themed products." [12] In particular, Aicher praised the rearrangement of David Bowie's "Bring Me the Disco King" (previously released in its original form on his studio album Reality earlier that month) as the soundtrack's strongest piece. This version of the song, which features Maynard James Keenan (from Tool and A Perfect Circle) and guitarist John Frusciante (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers), was praised by Aicher as "Dark, brooding, sad, and twitchy". [12]

Track listing
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Awakening" The Damning Well 4:15
2."Rev. 22:20" Puscifer 4:39
3."Throwing Punches" Page Hamilton 3:42
4."Rocket Collecting" Milla Jovovich & Danny Lohner 5:42
5."Now I Know" Renholdër & Amy Lee 0:57
6."Bring Me the Disco King" (Danny Lohner Mix) David Bowie (featuring Maynard James Keenan & John Frusciante)6:06
7."Optimissed" Skinny Puppy 3:49
8."Down in the Lab" Renholdër & Amy Lee 1:46
9."Judith" (Renholdër Mix) A Perfect Circle 4:23
10."Suicide Note" Johnette Napolitano 5:26
11."Baby's First Coffin" The Dillinger Escape Plan 4:01
12."Hover" (Quiet Mix) Trust Company 3:10
13."Falling Through the Sky" Renholdër 1:01
14."Weak and Powerless" (Tilling My Grave Mix) A Perfect Circle 3:02
15."Worms of the Earth" Finch 2:35
16."From a Shell" Lisa Germano 2:57
17."Death Dealer's Descent" Renholdër 0:55
18."On the Lash" The Icarus Line 4:04
19."All of This Past" Sarah Bettens 4:28
Total length:1:07:07
Underworld (Original Score)
Film score by
Paul Haslinger
ReleasedOctober 14, 2003
Length52:20
Label Lakeshore Records
Producer Paul Haslinger and Lustmord
Underworld film series score album chronology
Underworld (Original Score)
(2003)		 Underworld: Evolution
(2006)

Release

Box office

The film grossed $51,970,690 in the US and $95,708,457 worldwide. [3]

Reception

Underworld has a 31% overall approval rating on film-critics' aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes based on 161 reviews, with an average rating of 4.8/10. The site's consensus reads The site's consensus reads, "Though stylish to look at, Underworld is tedious and derivative." [13] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale. [14]

Roger Ebert said, "This is a movie so paltry in its characters and shallow in its story that the war seems to exist primarily to provide graphic visuals" [15] However, some critics were more favorable: the New York Daily News praised it as being "stylish and cruel, and mightily entertaining for certain covens out there". [16]

Salon reviewer Andrew O'Hehir gave a mixed review, stating, "by any reasonable standard, this dark vampire epic — all massive overacting, cologne-commercial design and sexy cat suits — sucks," but that "at least it gives a crap", conceding that despite the movie's flaws, the complex vampire-werewolf mythology backstory "has been meticulously worked out". [17]

Accolades

AwardSubjectNomineeResult
Saturn Awards Best Horror Film Nominated [18]
Best Actress Kate Beckinsale
Best Make-Up Trefor Proud and Balázs Novák
Cinescape Genre Face of the Future Awards Scott Speedman Won
Teen Choice Awards Choice Thriller MovieNominated [19]
Choice Movie Actress: Drama/Action AdventureKate Beckinsale (also for Van Helsing )

Home media

Underworld was released on DVD and VHS on January 6, 2004 by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. [20]

Sequels and prequel

A sequel, titled Underworld: Evolution , in which Marcus fully awakens, was released January 20, 2006. The prequel Underworld: Rise of the Lycans , which gives more detail about the creation of the Lycan species and Lucian's hatred, was released January 23, 2009. A second sequel, Underworld: Awakening , was released on January 20, 2012, and a third sequel, Underworld: Blood Wars , was released on January 6, 2017. [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Beckinsale</span> British actress (born 1973)

Kathrin Romany Beckinsale is an English actress. She has gained acclaim for her roles in action films, romance films, and period dramas. Beckinsale made her film debut in Kenneth Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing (1993) while a student at the University of Oxford. She gained prominence taking leading roles in numerous British costume dramas such as Prince of Jutland (1994), Cold Comfort Farm (1995), Emma (1996), and The Golden Bowl (2000). She challenged herself taking roles in films such as The Last Days of Disco (1998), Brokedown Palace (1999), Pearl Harbor (2001), Serendipity (2001), Tiptoes (2003), The Aviator (2004) and Click (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhona Mitra</span> British actress (born 1976)

Rhona Natasha Mitra is a British actress.

<i>Van Helsing</i> (film) 2004 film by Stephen Sommers

Van Helsing is a 2004 action horror film written and directed by Stephen Sommers. It stars Hugh Jackman as monster hunter Van Helsing and Kate Beckinsale as Anna Valerious. Van Helsing is both an homage and tribute to the Universal Horror Monster films from the 1930s and 1940s, of which Sommers is a fan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Len Wiseman</span> American film director

Len Ryan Wiseman is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for his work on the Underworld series, Live Free or Die Hard, and the 2012 film Total Recall. Wiseman runs the production company Sketch Films.

<i>Blade: Trinity</i> 2004 superhero film by David S. Goyer

Blade: Trinity is a 2004 American superhero film written and directed by David S. Goyer, who also wrote the screenplays to Blade and Blade II. It stars Wesley Snipes as Blade, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, who also produced with Goyer, Peter Frankfurt and Lynn Harris, with a supporting cast of Ryan Reynolds, Jessica Biel, Kris Kristofferson, Dominic Purcell, Parker Posey and Triple H in his acting debut.

<i>Underworld: Evolution</i> 2006 American action horror film

Underworld: Evolution is a 2006 American action horror film directed by Len Wiseman from a screenplay by Danny McBride, based on a story by Wiseman and McBride. It is the sequel to Underworld (2003) and the second installment in the Underworld film series. The film stars Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Tony Curran, Shane Brolly, Steven Mackintosh, Derek Jacobi, and Bill Nighy. The plot follows Selene and Michael, again played by Beckinsale and Speedman, respectively, as they fight to protect the Corvinus bloodline from its hidden past.

Daniel Patrick Lohner, frequently known as Renholdër, is an American musician and record producer best known for his work with Nine Inch Nails and A Perfect Circle. In 2020, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Nine Inch Nails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Speedman</span> Canadian actor (born 1975)

Robert Scott Speedman is a Canadian actor. He is known for portraying Ben Covington in the coming-of-age drama television series Felicity, Lycan–Vampire hybrid Michael Corvin in the gothic horror–action Underworld films, and Barry "Baz" Blackwell in the TNT crime drama series Animal Kingdom. His other film work includes Duets, Dark Blue, XXX: State of the Union, The Strangers, Barney's Version, The Vow, and Crimes of the Future. In 2021, he returned to Grey's Anatomy as a main character following a guest role in season 14 as Dr. Nick Marsh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Grevioux</span> American screenwriter (born 1962)

Kevin Grevioux is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and comic book writer. He is best known for his role as Raze in the Underworld film series, which he co-created, as well as his voicework in the cartoon Young Justice as the villain Black Beetle.

Selene (<i>Underworld</i>) Fictional character

Selene is a character and the main protagonist of the Underworld film franchise, in which she is portrayed by Kate Beckinsale. The character is introduced in the first film, Underworld, as an elite vampire assassin known as a "Death Dealer" who hunts down the Lycans for allegedly murdering her family. She becomes attracted to a human named Michael Corvin, and upon discovering that her sire and adoptive father Viktor was actually responsible for the death of her family, defects from the vampire clan.

Underworld is an American action horror film series created by Kevin Grevioux, Len Wiseman, and Danny McBride. It follows characters who are caught up in a war between vampires and werewolves. Most of the films star Kate Beckinsale as Selene. The first film, Underworld (2003), introduces Selene, an elite vampire-warrior who defies her orders, and Michael Corvin, a human who gets caught up in the war. The second film, Underworld: Evolution (2006), follows Selene and Michael as they are hunted by their enemies. The third film, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009), is the prequel to the series, chronicling the origins of the vampire-lycan war. The fourth film, Underworld: Awakening (2012), is the sequel to Underworld: Evolution. In this film, humans have discovered the existence of vampires and lycans, and are trying to eradicate both species. A fifth film, titled Underworld: Blood Wars (2016), focuses on Selene who tries to stop a new war between vampires and lycans.

<i>Underworld: Rise of the Lycans</i> 2009 film directed by Patrick Tatopoulos

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is a 2009 American action horror film directed by Patrick Tatopoulos from a screenplay by Danny McBride, Dirk Blackman, and Howard McCain, based on a story by Len Wiseman, Robert Orr, and McBride. It is a prequel to Underworld (2003) and the third installment in the Underworld film series. The film stars Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Steven Mackintosh, and Kevin Grevioux. The plot focuses primarily on the origins of the characters and the events that lead up to the Vampire–Lycan war. Kate Beckinsale, who starred in the previous Underworld films, appears briefly at the end of the film.

<i>Everybodys Fine</i> (2009 film) 2009 film by Kirk Jones

Everybody's Fine is a 2009 American drama film written and directed by Kirk Jones, and starring Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale. It is a remake of Giuseppe Tornatore's Italian film Everybody's Fine. In Brazil, Russia and Japan, the film was released direct-to-DVD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India Eisley</span> American actress (born 1993)

India Joy Eisley is an American actress. On television, she is known for her roles as Ashley Juergens in the ABC Family series The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008–2013), Audrina in the Lifetime film My Sweet Audrina (2016), and Fauna Hodel in the TNT series I Am the Night (2019). Her films include Underworld: Awakening (2012), Kite (2014), and Social Suicide (2015).

Slayer is a 2006 vampire themed television film written and directed by Kevin VanHook and starring Casper Van Dien and Kevin Grevioux. The film's plot involves an elite commando squad dealing with a deadly and bloodthirsty vampire clan living in the South American rain forest. It was produced for the Sci Fi Channel.

<i>Underworld: Awakening</i> 2012 American film

Underworld: Awakening is a 2012 American action horror film directed by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein from a screenplay by Len Wiseman, John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczynski, and Allison Burnett, based on a story by Wiseman and Hlavin. It is the direct sequel to Underworld: Evolution (2006) and the fourth installment in the Underworld film series. The film stars Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, Theo James, India Eisley, and Charles Dance.

<i>I, Frankenstein</i> 2014 film by Stuart Beattie

I, Frankenstein is a 2014 American science fantasy action film written and directed by Stuart Beattie, based on the digital-only graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux. An international co-production between the United States and Australia, the film was produced by Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Richard Wright, Andrew Mason and Sidney Kimmel. It stars Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto and Jai Courtney. The film tells the story of Adam, Frankenstein's creature, who embarks on a dangerous journey to stop evil demons and their ruthless leader from taking over the world.

<i>Underworld: Endless War</i> 2011 American film

Underworld: Endless War is a 2011 American anime-influenced adult animated anthology film consisting of a collection of three short tie-in stories, whose creation was supervised by Len Wiseman, director of the first two Underworld films. Each film tells a different story, and takes place during different periods of history to highlight new events within the Underworld mythology. The stories also help set up the events in the next film in the series, Underworld: Awakening (2012).

<i>Underworld: Blood Wars</i> 2016 film by Anna Foerster

Underworld: Blood Wars is a 2016 action horror film directed by Anna Foerster from a screenplay by Cory Goodman, based on a story by Kyle Ward and Goodman. It is the sequel to Underworld: Awakening (2012) and the fifth installment in the Underworld film series. The film stars Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Lara Pulver, James Faulkner, and Charles Dance.

References

  1. ↑ "Underworld (2003)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Underworld (15)". British Board of Film Classification . September 2, 2003. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Underworld (2003)". Box Office Mojo .
  4. 1 2 3 "Underworld (2003)". Lumiere . Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Underworld (2003)". British Film Institute . Archived from the original on November 13, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  6. ↑ "The Trades - Entertainment Industry Analysis". Archived from the original on July 10, 2004.
  7. ↑ "Kevin Grevioux - Black Creator Behind Underworld and More". March 8, 2021.
  8. ↑ "WHITE WOLF, INC. and author NANCY A. COLLINS sue SONY PICTURES, SCREEN GEMS and LAKESHORE ENTERTAINMENT for "Underworld" copyright infringement". Archived from the original on February 12, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Court Awards Expedited Injunction Hearing to WHITE WOLF and NANCY A. COLLINS in "Underworld" Suit". Archived from the original on January 20, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Collins and White Wolf v. Sony Pictures". Archived from the original on June 8, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Underworld (Original Soundtrack)". Allmusic.
  12. 1 2 3 "Maynard and Borland and Bowie, Oh My!". Music review by Bill Aicher http://www.music-critic.com/sdtrks/underworld.htm
  13. ↑ "Underworld - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  14. ↑ "CinemaScore". cinemascore.com.
  15. ↑ "Underworld movie review & film summary (2003) | Roger Ebert".
  16. ↑ [ dead link ]
  17. ↑ "Underworld" - Salon.com. The film has developed a strong cult following over time.[ citation needed ] Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ "The 30th Annual Saturn Awards Nominations". Saturn Awards. Archived from the original on October 9, 2004. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Teen Choice Awards 2004". Hollywoodauditions.com. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Underworld DVD Release Date January 6, 2004". DVDs Release Dates. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved July 12, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.