"The Blood War Begins in “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans”

A centuries-long blood feud erupts between two powerful and immortal tribes in Columbia Pictures’ new fantasy thriller “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.” The third film in the epic “Underworld” saga goes back in time to depict the origins of the conflict between the aristocratic Vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans, a line of fierce werewolves. With more eye-popping CGI and astounding creature effects than either of its predecessors, “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” reveals some of the hit franchise’s most compelling secrets.

Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Kevin Grevioux and Steven Mackintosh reprise their roles as Vampire overlords and Lycan rebels, with Rhona Mitra joining the cast as the impetuous Vampire warrior, Sonja.

More than a thousand years before the events of the original “Underworld,” two races of preternatural beings came into being, each springing from the bloodlines of a different son of the original Immortal, Alexander Corvinus. Vampires, arising from the Markus line, became elegant, aristocratic, cunning blood drinkers. Werewolves, from the William line, became savage beasts, with no trace of humanity left - and an insatiable appetite for violence. The Vampires came to dominate the local region – the wild lands in what is now western Hungary - with their superior intelligence, strength, and political skill. But even they feared the werewolves, who, though incapable of organization and higher thought, were capable of immense strength and savagery.

And then another genetic fluke transformed the balance of power again: a female werewolf, captive in the Vampire stronghold, gave birth to a seemingly human child. This was Lucian (Sheen) – the first Lycan, born into slavery in the house of Viktor (Nighy), the supremely powerful Vampire leader. Unlike “William’s Kind”, the original werewolves, this Lycan was able to take the form of either man or beast at will. Lucian’s bloodline was used by Viktor to create an entirely new breed of slaves, abused by the Vampires as laborers and guards during the vulnerable daylight hours, and prevented from transforming by the silver-spiked moonshackles kept locked around their necks.

Viktor reigns over his slaves, his court and his domains with an iron hand. He loves only two things: power, and his beautiful but willful daughter Sonja (Mitra).

Each night, Sonja rides with the Death Dealers, an elite squad of Vampire soldiers that protect Viktor’s domain against the marauding werewolves. But unknown to her father or any of her peers, Sonja has fallen in love with Lucian, now a skilled blacksmith and weapons-maker in the Vampire castle. Their affair must be conducted in the utmost secret, since if discovered, it would mean certain death for both of them.

Incredible battle scenes, astonishing stunts and cutting-edge creature effects make “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” an epic adventure that stands proudly on its own.

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.