Kate Beckinsale Talks Underworld And How The Films Changed Her Career

When Underworld: Blood Wars reaches theaters, the film will see Kate Beckinsale reprise her role as the deadly vampire Selene. The actress came to New York Comic Con this weekend to promote the much-anticipated film, and she took time to speak with ComicBook.com about the franchise and how it changed her career.

Of course, Beckinsale had plenty to say about the action horror films. The actress explained the long gap between the last Underworld film and Blood Wars, saying it all came down to finding the right story.

“I think just waiting to see if there was a story that felt like it was worth telling,” she said. “The character goes through different permutations, challenges, [and] obstacles. If you make a fifth one, you want to make it one worth doing.”

She also took a moment to reflect upon how Underworld has changed her acting career and even admitted starring in such an action-heavy franchise wasn’t what she thought she’d be known for.

“Underworld was the first one I ever did, and it was such a giant risk and stretch,” she explained. “It’s not really my sensibility. It’s not really where I imagined myself going. I like to challenge myself and do different things – and that kind of took on its own life a bit.”

Beckinsale then joked, “I became one of those people you ask to jump off buildings and stab people which is kind of weird for me. Underworld is kind of the first one. It’s dear to my heart.”

When asked if she regretted passing over any offers for roles, the actress stressed she wasn’t the type to do so. “No, I don’t actually think ‘I wish I wouldn’t have taken this.’ There’s quite a few I wish I hadn’t, but I can’t tell you what they are – It’s probably obvious.”

If you’re unfamiliar with the Underworld franchise, then you have time to catch up. The films follow a heroine named Selene, a vampire who hunts Lycans (Werewolves) to avenger her slaughtered family. With four films currently released, Underworld is one of Hollywood’s more well-known supernatural thrillers.

The fifth film titled Blood Wars will find Selene as she continues to pursue the Lycan race and brutal take them down. So far, no official synopsis has been released for the film, but a full trailer for Blood Wars debuted at NYCC earlier today.

The footage debuted ahead of a panel at the convention where Beckinsale appeared to answer fan questions. ComicBook.com’s Brandon Davis was in the crowd and wrote up a live recap of the event that you can check out here.

Underworld: Blood Wars is directed by Anna Foerster and written by Cory Goodman. The film opens in theaters on Jan. 6, 2017.