Underworld fans everywhere, we already know that Kate Beckinsale is returning to the franchise for a fifth installment. Yes! After all, Beckinsale is Underworld, there shall be no Underworld without her! No offense to fans of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, but you know it’s true.
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What we also know is that the film is titled, Underworld: Blood Wars.
There are hints that it expands upon the ever-raging war between vampires and lycans with a new generation of characters. Previously, it was titled “Next Generation,” but the film was retooled with this latest moniker, hopefully giving promise to some nasty on-screen battles that the franchise is known for.
But what’s also exciting about this next iteration of Underworld is that a woman is at the helm. This is a first for the franchise. Her name: Anna Foerster. In an exclusive clip from Larry King Now, Beckinsale informs Larry King that Foerster is “fantastic” and she sees no difference between Foerster and the franchise’s last four male directors. Check out the clip below!
Why should it matter that a woman is directing the latest Underworld? Well, if you haven’t heard, talk around Hollywood is all about diversifying beyond the all-white, male demographic. Last year’s #OscarsSoWhite campaign sparked a new conversation regarding more minority representation both on and off the screen. Though that particular social media campaign predominantly focused on the lack of racial diversity within the Oscar-nominated films, the Academy promised to double its minority and female membership by 2020. After all, only four women have ever been nominated for an Oscar for Best Director (and one win, kudos to Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker). So we think it’s pretty cool that a talented director like Anna Foerster — whose credits include the acclaimed Outlander TV adaptation — gets to direct the latest chapter in the Underworld saga. After all, its protagonist is a woman, so why can’t a woman direct it?
Be sure to check out Kate Beckinsale’s full interview on Larry King Now this coming Monday May 23rd, on Ora.TV!
