"Underworld" and its sequel "Underworld: Evolution" were throwaway little treats - belonging to the 'guilty pleasures' section of the old DVD library but it would seem that "Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans" will have to make do without its lead, Kate Beckinsale. The leather-clad and pistol-toting Selene will not be making an appearance in the threequel as revealed by Beckinsale herself whilst doing the press rounds for her latest film, "Snow Angels".
Beckinsale did however offer a slight glimmer of hope for the "Underworld" fans out there, dropping the hint that she may cameo in later instalments by "pulling a Bruce Willis" and returning to her beloved character at 50. Now, Beckinsale makes two errors in judgement here. Firstly, she assumes that "Rise of the Lycans" will similarly give rise to more sequels, which is hopeful at best, and secondly, Selene is a vampire and thus immortal - vampires do not age (so there).
"Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans" is currently in production with Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen reprising their vampiric and werewolf-ery roles from the franchise respectively.