EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: UNDERWORLD AWAKENING Directors Discuss 3D Filming, Gritty Action & Franchise Continuity

The fourth installment of Sony Pictures' popular Underworld film franchise, starring Kate Beckinsale and Michael Ealy, is scheduled for theatrical release on January 20th, 2012.

Underworld: Awakening brings a stunning new dimension to the epic battle between Vampires and Lycans, as the first film in the franchise to shoot in 3D. Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.

Swedish directing duo Mans Marlind & Bjorn Stein have taken on a big task for their breakthrough into American cinema. Neither of their names were on Sony Pictures' short list to direct the fourth installment of their lucrative Underworld film series, yet the studio and franchise creator Len Wiseman were won over by their ideas on how to move forward with the mythology; so much so that negotiations which usually take several months flew by in only a few weeks. "About four weeks after we pitched our idea for the film we were in Vancouver scouting locations. It was surreal but very assuring that Len believed in our vision so much," explained Stein.

The pair -- whose visually dynamic Swedish action-fantasy film Storm helped sell the producers on their ability to tackle the production -- were not only given a sizable budget and access to one of Hollywood's most stunning actresses, Kate Beckinsale, but had to learn how to manipulate and maneuver the highly sought after RED Epic 3D cameras. "Filming in 3D is obviously very different.. you have to take into account wider shots and slower movement. But, with the RED Epic cameras in particular, the quality of the footage is astounding," said Marlind. "This is the first of the Underworld films to be released [in 3D] and we've got some very intense stuff in there."

The intensity they speak of will not only come from the high-octane action beats prevalent throughout the film but from Beckinsale's most emotional portrayal of vampire vixen Seline audiences have seen. Marlind explains that, "what's different about Seline in this is film is that Kate really digs deep into the character's emotions more so than either of the other films." Stein wholeheartedly agrees, adding, "Kate brings such contrasting levels of sadness and viciousness to the role, it's more intense than I've ever seen of her. The film picks up about six months after the end of the second but a lot has changed in Seline's world and we'll see her trying to cope with these changes throughout."

Further expanding upon the film's action, both filmmakers have no qualms stating that the bar is being raised fairly high this go around. Though stunt wire-work plays a big part in the larger sequences ("there were a shit load of stunt wires all over the sets, everywhere you looked" laughed Stein) fans can expect to see close up, gritty fight scenes as well. "Kate is in magnificent shape and jumped at every opportunity to do her own stunts," explained Marlind. "But some were so demanding that even her stunt double Atlin [Mitchell] got really roughed up. By the time we were done shooting she was covered head to toe with all manner of bruises."

Stein revealed that the film will truly attempt to embrace the "thrill ride" moniker, thoroughly engaging its viewers, "We obviously tried to keep the style and tone Len [Wiseman] set that people have come to expect from the franchise but we've also pushed the boundaries of physicality. It's much more brutal and in-your-face. We want [audiences] to leave the theater feeling shaken and exhausted from just sitting through the film."

Although Awakening's theatrical debut is only a little more than a month away, Stein and Marlind are still hard at work putting the finishing touches on it. They revealed that tonight the film's sound mixing with be done and as early as tomorrow the final effects touches will be put into place so they can begin screening the film for studio reps and peers. "The 'quality assurance' phase starts very soon, and that's the most fun because we will finally get to see the entire film clear and uncut. It's very exciting just getting to this point and we hope audiences feel we've done the series justice."

Underworld: Awakening is helmed by Swedish directors Mans Marlind & Bjorn Stein off of a screenplay by Len Wiseman, and also stars India Eisley and Michael Ealy. Sony Pictures has now established a theatrical release date of January 20th, 2012 for the film.