With the fourth installment of the ‘Underworld’ series scheduled to begin filming in March, Swedish directors Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein are currently in talks to helm it together, Cinemablend.com is reporting. The series’ studio, Lakeshore Entertainment, began looking at the Swedish directors after screenwriter John Hlavin finished the script.

The third sequel is rumored to be shot in 3D. It also has an expected release date of early 2012, much like its two immediate predecessors, ‘Rise of the Lycans’ and ‘Evolution,’ did in 2009 and 2006, respectively. The fourth movie will feature the return of Kate Beckinsale’s character, vampire and Death Dealer Selene, as a main character. She only appeared in a minor role in the original movie’s prequel, ‘Rise of the Lycans.’

The sequel will be the first English film by Marlind and Stein to be released in the U.S. They previously directed ‘Shelter,’ featuring Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. But that hasn’t been released in America and isn’t expected to be anytime soon, as it hasn’t received good reviews. The duo takes over the ‘Underworld’ directorial reins from Beckinsale’s husband, Len Wiseman, who helmed the first two films. Patrick Tatopoulos, who was the creature designer and supervisor on the first two films, directed the prequel.

Written by: Karen Benardello