Watch Underworld: Rise of the Lycans: From Script to Screen

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is a movie that delves into the past of the Underworld film series' vampire and werewolf battle. The movie is set in a time before the first Underworld film where a young werewolf slave falls in love with a vampire princess, ultimately leading to a war between the two species. The movie was directed by Patrick Tatopoulos and was released in 2009. It stars Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra, and Bill Nighy. The movie is a prequel to the first two films in the series, Underworld and Underworld: Evolution.

The script for the movie was written by Danny McBride and Dirk Blackman. They wanted to create a story that explored the origin of the vampires and werewolves in the Underworld universe. The writers drew inspiration from various sources, including Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, to create a tragic love story at the heart of the film.

Once the script was complete, it went through various stages of development. One of the challenges was creating a visual style that was consistent with the earlier films in the series but also set the film apart as a prequel. The filmmakers wanted to create a darker and grittier look for the film, which was achieved with the use of muted colors and practical effects.

Another challenge was casting the roles of Lucian, Sonja, and Viktor, as these characters are central to the movie's plot. Michael Sheen was cast as Lucian, the lead werewolf, reprising his role from the previous films. Rhona Mitra was cast as Sonja, the vampire princess, while Bill Nighy returned as Viktor, the vampire elder. The three actors delivered powerful performances that drove the emotional arc of the film.

The movie was filmed in New Zealand, and the filmmakers made use of the country's rugged terrain to create the film's dark and foreboding atmosphere. The practical effects used in the film, including stunt work and creature design, were impressive and added to the film's realism.

The film's score was composed by Paul Haslinger, who had previously worked on the first two Underworld films. The score is atmospheric and moody, effectively setting the film's tone and adding to the tension of the action scenes.

Throughout the movie, viewers are taken on a thrilling journey as they witness the conflict between the two supernatural factions reach a fever pitch. The intense action scenes are supplemented with political intrigue, as characters jockey for power and dominance over one another.

In conclusion, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is a prequel to the Underworld film series that delves into the origin of the vampires and werewolves. The movie's script was carefully crafted to tell a tragic love story amidst political upheaval, and the result is a dark and enthralling film that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. With superb casting, practical effects, and gripping action sequences, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is a must-watch for fans of the Underworld saga.