Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is back in action and loaded for battle as Underworld: Awakening prepares to open early next year. In anticipation of the fourth Underworld film (and the first to be filmed in 3Dm using RED EPIC digital cameras), Screen Gems has released four images from the upcoming production. As you might have guessed, they feature the goth Beckinsale decked in leather and pointing a blazing hand cannon. We have them below.









Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein are directing Awakening, though the script is credited to original helmer Len Wiseman, John Hlavin, and Allison Burnett. The plot involves a war between vampires, Lycan, and humankind – who has discovered the existence of the previous two monster races, and is uniting in an effort to eradicate them from the face of the earth. Selene joins forces with her fellow creatures to fight back against humans. She’s aided in her quest by Detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy), Eve (India Eisley), Dr. Jacob Lane (Stephen Rea) and Quint (Kris Holden-Ried).

Just don’t expect to see Scott Speedman returning to the role of Michael Corvin, from the original film. The actor has said in multiple interviews that he will not be reprising his role, though true franchise fans hope he’s just throwing them off of his scent. We’ll know soon enough, as Underworld: Awakening opens in theaters on Jan. 20, 2012.