According to Variety magazine, actress and star Kate Beckinsale of the Underworld franchise will not be returning for a sixth film.

Theo James, star of Underworld: Awakening and Divergent, is set to be the new lead in the franchise. There has been no word as to why Beckinsale will not return, but this seems like a strange direction for the franchise to take.

First of all, Beckinsale is to Underworld, what Milla Jovovich is the Resident Evil. She made this franchise successful, bottom line. Secondly, there are so many unanswered questions and loose ends left by Underworld: Awakening, I wonder how they plan to tie those up ends without her?

Is this a reboot? A rehash? A continuation? None of that information has been released yet. Lastly, lets keep it real, neither Theo James or Shailene Woodley were the box office draw for Divergent, so why they are making him lead is questionable. Especially since the last Underworld film didn’t do that well at the box office. Also, I liked the idea of a strong female protagonist featured in an action film. Now, with this new casting change, whats to differentiate Underworld from any other action franchise? I guess time will tell, but I’m not holding my breath.

Source: Variety Magazine online

Images From: Theojames.org, underworld.wika.com