Michael Sheen's Underworld Role Is The Actor's Most Underrated (& Why He Should Be Doing More Dark Fantasy)

While the vampire Selene is often Underworld’s main protagonist, Michael Sheen’s Lucian is a compelling and formidable character who is severely underrated. In the dark urban fantasy franchise, which pits vampires against werewolves, Sheen appeared in Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009). Despite their thrilling high-octane fight sequences and impressive special effects, neither movie was a hit with critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, Underworld holds a score of 31%, with Rise of the Lycans at 30%. Even so, Sheen has never been accused of phoning in a performance, and his portrayal of Lucian is no exception.

Sheen’s TV and film career has given him an eclectic variety of roles to work with. His performances in acclaimed films such as The Queen and Frost/Nixon were lauded by critics, as was his role as Dr. William Masters in the TV series Masters of Sex. In recent years, many know him as the angel Aziraphale from Good Omens, the series based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. With his widening fanbase thanks to Good Omens, more people should be reexamining Sheen in the Underworld movies, and advocate for him doing more dark fantasy.

Sheen Is Scary And Sympathetic As Lucian In Underworld

The Werewolf Leader Is Actually An Anti-Hero With A Tragic Backstory

The first Underworld movie introduces the world of Lycans and vampires, two races who have secretly been at war for centuries. The Lycans are a vicious race of werewolves, and Sheen’s Lucian is their terrifying leader. The vampires believed that Lucian had died centuries ago, supposedly defeated by the vampire leader, Viktor. It turns out that Lucian has been in hiding, biding his time and gathering his troops for the final push against the enemy. When Selene learns the truth, she tries to rally the other vampires to her cause, but Lucian’s savagery is left unchecked.

It turns out that the vampires are actually the bad guys, a fact that isn’t revealed until the third act. Lucian tells Selene the true story of what started the war — how he fell in love with Viktor’s daughter, a vampire, and Viktor had her murdered for it. Sheen moves seamlessly from brutal killer to tragic romantic hero as Lucian, making him a sympathetic character with his earnest performance. With werewolves often portrayed as bloodthirsty and feral, Sheen does a superb job of giving the Lycan leader a certain profoundness and depth.

Sheen Proved His Leading Man Chops In Rise Of The Lycans

He Is Both A Tragic Hero & An Action Star

The prequel film Underworld: Rise of the Lycans takes viewers back to the start of the vampire vs. Lycan war. Sheen once again plays Lucian, this time as the protagonist. Set during the Middle Ages, vampires are the lords of the land and have enslaved the Lycans. When it’s discovered that Lucian’s forbidden affair with the vampire Sonja resulted in pregnancy, Viktor sentences her to death by sunlight while Lucian is forced to watch. Devastated by the tragic loss of the woman he loves, Lucian breaks free of his tormentors and rallies the other Lycans to rebel against their masters.

Not only is Rise of the Lycansa riveting werewolf film and dark fantasy with plenty of thrills, but it also showcases Sheen’s massive talent and ability to take on any character type. On average, Sheen has mostly played characters that are clean-cut and with a measure of sophistication. In this film, however, he proves that he’s not afraid to get down and dirty while swinging a sword. As Lucian, Sheen is an action star, a tragic hero, and a romantic leading man. His intensity and drive shine through in every scene, proving he was made for the role.

Sheen’s Work In Twilight Also Makes A Case For Him Returning To Darker Fantasy

The Actor Steals The Show As Volturi Leader Aro

Yet more evidence that Sheen is perfect for the dark fantasy genre is his role as Aro in the Twilight Saga. Appearing in the films New Moon and Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and 2, Sheen’s portrayal of the mad Greek vampire is one of his most memorable. As the leader of the Volturi, Aro is a manipulative and power-hungry ruler who seeks to bring Bella, Edward, and Alice into the fold, but only to secure his own position. When Bella gives birth to a half-vampire child, Renesmee, Aro feels threatened by the newborn’s existence and tries to have her destroyed.

There’s a story that Twilight author Stephanie Meyer told Sheen and New Moon director Chris Weitz that she intended for Aro’s character to come across as “a bit insane.” If true, then Sheen took Meyer’s notes to heart when playing him. He managed to make Aro’s childlike giddiness both humorous and terrifying at the same time, while playing up the vampire’s frightening ambition and unstoppable lust for power. With these observations in mind, Michael Sheen‘s knack for dark fantasy is clear, and fans of both Underworld and Twilight can only hope he revisits the subgenre more often.

Underworld

The Underworld franchise is a dark fantasy action-horror series that centers on the age-old war between vampires (Death Dealers) and werewolves (Lycans). The first film, Underworld (2003), introduced Selene, a vampire warrior, played by Kate Beckinsale, who uncovers conspiracies within the vampire hierarchy while battling the Lycans. Known for its stylized action sequences, gothic aesthetic, and complex lore, the series has expanded to include five films, a prequel, and an animated short film. Over the years, it has built a loyal fanbase with its exploration of the vampire-werewolf mythology and intricate family rivalries.