FAQ

Death Dealer and mortal enemy of Lycans, century-old vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale) fears the worst when she learns that the Lycans are stalking a human doctor named Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman) for no discernible reason. Consequently, she takes him under her wing, which is enough to anger Kraven (Shane Brolly), the leader of their vampire coven. But when Michael is subsequently bitten by a Lycan, he and Selene must go on the run while desperately trying to uncover why the Lycans want him.

Underworld is based on a screenplay by American screenwriters Kevin Grevioux, Danny McBride, and Len Wiseman (who also directed the movie). The movie was subsequently novelized by American science fiction writer Greg Cox. The novelization, also titled Underworld (2003) was followed by Blood Enemy (2004), which is actually a fan-fiction prequel that describes the Great Battle between vampires and lycans that took place over 1,000 years ago. Underworld was followed by three sequels: Underworld: Evolution (2006), Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009), Underworld: Awakening (2012), and Underworld: Blood Wars (2016).

No. The vampires are humans infected with a virus that makes them immortal and gives them heightened strength and senses. Like traditional vampires, they must live on blood (human food can kill them) and avoid sunlight, which will kill them almost instantly. Like the vampires, the werewolves come from the same genetic source as the vampires, but they inherited traits from a wolf rather than a bat.

Vampires and werewolves are both descendents of Alexander Corvinus, a Hungarian warlord in the 5th century, whose village was ravaged by a plague. Alexander had a rare blood abnormality that morphed the virus in his bloodstream. This gave him superhuman strength and immortal life, making him the first true immortal. He was neither Vampire or Lycan. Approximately 200 years later, he fathered three sons. All three sons carried the same genetic defect as Alexander, as well as the virus. One son inherited the virus in its dormant state and remained human. He died a mortal death, passing down the hidden gene through his bloodlines. The other two—William and Marcus—were bitten by wolf and by bat, respectively, becoming the first werewolf and vampire.

There are three of them: Viktor (Bill Nighy), Marcus (unseen, played by Tony Curran in Underworld: Evolution), and Amelia (Zita Görög). They share power by switching out every hundred years, leapfrogging with each other. One rules while the other two sleep. Viktor claims to be the oldest and strongest of the three. At the start of Underworld, Marcus is about to be reawakened by Amelia, the current reigning elder.

The Elder called Marcus is currently in hibernation (thus unseen) throughout the movie. He becomes the main antagonist in Underworld: Evolution.

Lucian (Michael Sheen) is the current leader of the Lycans, replacing William when Viktor imprisoned him somewhere (no one knows where) for all eternity. Lucian was supposedly killed during the Great Battle when he was found consorting with Viktor's daughter Sonja. More about Lucian and Sonja can be seen in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

Lucian wasn't killed in the Great Battle. He cut the identifying brand off his own arm and then gave it to Kraven so that Kraven could become a war hero and gain substantial power within Viktor's coven. Although it is unknown exactly what transpired between Lucian and Kraven, Lucian agreed to lay low as a part of their deal. In return, Lucian promised to help Kraven get rid of the vampire counsel and the elders so that he could take power if he agreed to spare his life. This would have gotten rid of Viktor, whom Lucian hates, and create peace between the species.

Coward by Wes Borland and Danny Loehner.

The movie was released on DVD in two different versions, the R-rated theatrical version (for strong violence/gore and some language) as well as the unrated, Special Edition extended cut. However, in this case the theatrical version was pretty good already and the extended cut mainly adds some storyline, thus inflating the movie to more than two hours. Yes, there is more insight in the relationship between Erika and Kraven, some more of Michael's history and a little more shooting, but none of this is necessary to understand the movie better. Some of the new footage even seems to be true filling material that was left out of the original version with a cause.