Culver City, CA (3/16/09) – The war between Vampire and Lycan begins in UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS, the thrilling new prequel to the Underworld series, available on Blu-ray Disc™, DVD & PSP this May 12, 2009, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Watch as Lucian, the original Lycan (Michael Sheen, Frost/Nixon, Underworld 1&2), rises up against the evil vampire king Viktor (Bill Nighy from Pirates of the Carribean, Underworld 1&2), with help from Viktor’s rebellious daughter, Sonja (series newcomer Rhona Mitra from TV’s “Nip/Tuck”), thereby igniting the blood feud between the two immortal races. Featuring rip-roaring action sequences, blood-curdling special effects and breathless romance, UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS infuses new blood into the already hugely popular and wildly imaginative Underworld series. Fans old and new will want to rise to the occasion and buy this action-packed hit on Blu-ray, DVD and PSP this May. Also available as a complete three-disc trilogy with Underworld, Underworld: Evolution and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans on DVD or Blu-ray Disc.
UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS tears its way onto Blu-ray High-Def and DVD loaded with bonus features, including Filmmaker Commentary, plus three behind-the-scenes featurettes: “The Origin of the Feud: Lucian and Sonja,” featuring interviews with cast members Rhona Mitra, Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy; “Re-Creating the Dark Ages: The Look of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,” in which director Patrick Tatopoulos discusses his transition from series’ special effects supervisor to director; and “The Making of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,” which traces all aspects of Lycans’ journey from script to screen, and the “Deathclub” music video by William Control. Exclusive to the Blu-ray Disc™ are such innovative features as Picture-in-Picture, and “Lycanthropes Around the World,” an interactive map which highlights the locations of documented werewolf sightings around the world, and a Digital Copy of the film for PC, PSP®, Mac or iPod®. Priced to own at an SRP of $39.95 (Blu-ray), $28.96 (DVD) and $24.94 (PSP), UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS offers movie lovers a whole world of unforgettable entertainment!
Synopsis
The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom.
UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS marks the directorial debut of Patrick Tatopoulos, visual effects supervisor on Underworld and Underworld: Evolution. The screenplay was written by Danny McBride (Underworld 1&2) and the writing team of Dirk Blackman and Howard McCain (the upcoming Conan remake). Original series director Len Wiseman (Live Free or Die Hard, Underworld 1&2) returns as producer this time, also sharing a “Story By” credit. The film was produced by Lakeshore Entertainment and is distributed by Screen Gems. It has a run time of approximately 92 minutes and has been rated R for bloody violence and some sexuality.
DVD and Blu-ray High-Def Bonus Material
“Underworld: Rise of the Lycans – From Script to Screen” Featurette
“The Origin of the Feud” Featurette
“Re-Creating the Dark Ages – The Look of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” Featurette
Music Video: “Deathclub” By William Control
Filmmakers’ Commentary
Exclusive Blu-ray High-Def Bonus Material
A Digital Copy of the film for PC, PSP, Mac or iPod
cinechat: Send on-screen instant messages to your friends around the world while you watch the movie together!
Behind the Castle Walls: Picture-in-Picture
“Lycanthropes Around the World” Interactive Map: Learn about werewolf sightings that span throughout the past five centuries!
BD-Live: Access Exclusive Content and Downloads!
