http://news.softpedia.com/news/Kate-Beckinsale-Officially-Back-for-Underworld-4-158064.shtml

Rumors of this have been making the rounds even before the third film, “Rise of the Lycans,” began shooting. Now, confirmation has come that Kate Beckinsale is back for the fourth film.

As we also reported on several previous occasions, while “Rise of the Lycans” was not a terrible film, it failed to warm up to fans because it didn’t have the leading actress that made spandex suits look this cool.

On her part, Beckinsale, often assaulted with questions on the possibility of returning to the franchise, was adamant her part in it was done and she would never come back.

Fans kept hoping against all hope – and they are now rewarded with some good news, via Deadline.

“Kate Beckinsale has signed on for a fourth installment of Underworld. The new pic has been written by John Hlavin with a rewrite by J. Michael Straczynski,” the e-zine says.

“No director yet. Screen Gems, which distributed the first three, is back for the fourth. Production starts March in Vancouver,” Deadline further notes.

In August last year, Collider got to speak to Kate directly and to ask her about ongoing rumors a fourth film would be made – with her as the lead.

Not only was she not planning on coming back to the franchise, but she was also almost positive a fourth film would not be made, let alone in 3D.

“I don’t know anything about a 4th ‘Underworld.’ I don’t know anything about that at this point. I know they have [been talking about a fourth film]…” the actress said at the time, as we also informed you.

“It was always conceived as a trilogy, which I was never going to be in the third one. I think if they came up with an amazing script I wouldn’t be adverse to it. But it’s not planned or anything,” she added.

What has changed in the year that passed to make Beckinsale reconsider is not known. Rest assured, though, that you will find out more about “Underworld 4” right here, as soon as details become available.

Well, awesome! I like Kate Beckinsale.

The original director is her husband I believe?

This were all decent films, the Directors cut of the first film was great.