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The Underworld series is a series of vampire/werewolf films directed by Len Wiseman. The first film, Underworld, was released in 2003, and the second film, Underworld: Evolution, was released in 2006. A third film, reported to be a prequel, is in development.
[edit] Setting
In the Underworld universe, Vampires and Lycans are not malevolent supernatural creatures, but rather the product of a virus; unlike vampires of other more 'traditional' works, Underworld Vampires are forbidden to drink human blood or anyhow interfere with humans. Also, some Vampire relics and amulets featured in the movies are cross-shaped, and they show no aversion to Jesus' name which is heard a few times throughout the narrative.
Sixteen centuries ago, a man named Alexander Corvinus was the only survivor of a plague that wiped out his village. Somehow, the man's body was able to mutate the virus, mold it to his own benefit and become the first true immortal. Later, he had three sons, one of whom did not inherit his father's immortality and was simply human. The other two were bitten, one by bat and one by wolf, creating the Vampire and Lycan lines. Corvinus' third son also carried the Corvinus Strain, hidden away in his genetic code — an exact duplicate of the original virus, passed along to his human descendants through the centuries. This, according to Singe, is the key to creating a Hybrid.
[edit] Vampires vs. Lycans
Since that time, a war has broken out. The Lycans were enslaved by the Vampires, used as indentured servants to be the guardians of their lairs during the daylight hours, but they revolted during the Middle Ages. Both sides have their own lair and chain of command. Vampires have Death Dealers, vampire warriors charged to fight and kill the Lycan enemy. There are three Vampire elders. Rules and tradition demand that two be at rest while one is awake; this arrangement calls for each elder to rule for one century followed by two centuries of sleep.
[edit] Underworld (2003)
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[edit] Underworld: Evolution (2006)
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[edit] Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
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[edit] Reception
[edit] Box office performance
| Film |
Release date |
Box office revenue |
Reference |
| United States |
Outside US |
Worldwide |
| Underworld |
September 19, 2003 |
$51,970,690 |
$43,737,767 |
$95,708,457 |
[1] |
| Underworld: Evolution |
January 20, 2006 |
$62,318,875 |
$49,021,926 |
$111,340,801 |
[2] |
| Underworld series |
|
$114,289,565 |
$92,759,693 |
$207,049,258 |
|
[edit] Critical reaction
[edit] Novels
In addition to the novelizations of Underworld and Underworld: Evolution, an original novel, Underworld: Blood Enemy has been published. All three are authored by Greg Cox.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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Underworld (2003) · Underworld: Blood Enemy (2004) · Underworld: Evolution (2006)
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United States
