Lycan Virus

The origin of the first Lycan and the spark that ignited an eternal war between Vampires and werewolves.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, released on January 23, 2009, serves as a prequel to the original 2003 film and stands as the third installment in the series. Directed by Patrick Tatopoulos from a screenplay by Danny McBride, Dirk Blackman, and Howard McCain, the movie explores the origins of the conflict between Vampires and Lycans. The narrative focuses on Lucian, the first werewolf capable of taking human form, known specifically as a Lycan. Born a Lycan, he was taken as a child by Vampire elder Viktor, who enslaved him and his kind to serve as a guard force during daylight hours. Lucian eventually sparks a rebellion alongside Sonja, Viktor's daughter. This period piece shifts the franchise perspective to the Lycans, detailing the events that ignite the centuries-long war.

Quick Facts

Released

January 23, 2009

Director

Patrick Tatopoulos

Screenplay writers

Danny McBride
Dirk Blackman
Howard McCain

Story by

Len Wiseman
Robert Orr
Danny McBride

Production budget

$35 million

Worldwide gross

Over $91 million

Lore & Background

Before Lucian's rebellion, vampires hunted and contained feral werewolves—savage beasts unable to take human form—but no organized war existed. Viktor, seeking control, took Lucian as a child and enslaved the Lycans, envisioning a race of slaves to guard the fortress by day and labor at night. The countryside was overrun with these feral beasts born from William's rampage, prompting human nobles to beg Viktor for protection in exchange for silver tributes that kept his slave army in check.

Lucian and Sonja fell in love, initiating a secretive intimate relationship. When Lucian escaped his shackles to rescue Sonja from his own werewolf brethren, he was punished by a whipping and imprisoned. To secure his release, Sonja blackmailed Andreas Tanis by threatening to reveal his affair or treason. Lucian was already a Lycan able to transform at will before Sonja's death; he did not gain control over the packs only after transforming into a full werewolf.

As Lucian liberated other Lycans, Viktor discovered their affair and pregnancy through memory-reading via blood, leading to Sonja's execution by sunlight. This tragedy triggered Lucian's rebellion, storming the fortress and killing numerous council members, but he did not defeat Viktor in that battle—Viktor survived and was later killed by Selene.

Reader's Guide

The film establishes that the Lycan strain originates from William's rampage, creating savage werewolves unable to take human form until Lucian, the first of his kind, is born with this ability. Lucian's role evolves from a slave laborer and day-guard for the coven to a revolutionary leader who recruits both human slaves and wild werewolves. The turning point occurs when Sonja reveals her pregnancy to save Lucian, leading to her execution by sunlight exposure—a method used by the vampire council to punish traitors.

Following this, Lucian gains the unique ability to communicate with and control feral werewolves, a power he uses to storm the fortress and kill the vampire elite. The conflict concludes with Viktor's apparent death via sword and sunlight, though he survives in hibernation. The narrative connects directly to the first film through a scene where Kraven reveals to Selene that Viktor killed her family, not the Lycans, and spared Selene because she resembled his executed daughter Sonja.

Did You Know?

Kate Beckinsale, who starred in the previous Underworld films, appears briefly at the end of Rise of the Lycans.
The film premiered at the ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles on January 22, 2009, before its US release on January 23.
Michael Sheen's performance as Lucian received significant acclaim, with critics calling him the movie's greatest asset.
The opening day of the film grossed an estimated $8,050,000 in the United States, debuting at number one.
Viktor survived his execution attempt by being sealed in an elder hibernation chamber by Andreas Tanis.