Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is the third installment in the Underworld series of films. It is a prequel to Underworld and Underworld: Evolution, covering the origins of some characters. Screen Gems released the film on January 23, 2009.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans movie poster

The film tells the story of the origins of Lucian, who was the first werewolf able to take human form – to be called Lycans [derived from the word lycanthrope. Viktor, the ruthless king of the vampires, took him home after killing his werewolf mother in a raid. Viktor decides to create a race of werewolves who would be more sedate than the original breed, a viciously volatile kind that couldn’t revert back to human form. Viktor envisions a race of slaves for his vampire clan that, conceivably, could keep guard during the daytime hours and toil for the vampires. As Lucian grows up at Viktor’s home, his young daughter, Sonja, develops an attraction to the young Lycan, and Lucian becomes fond of Sonja as well. Read More