Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein are negotiating a deal to direct the fourth film in the Underworld franchise. The pair have previously directed the 2005 Swedish thriller Storm and the 2009 film Shelter which starred Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.

John Hlavin (The Shield) wrote the original draft of the script with J. Michael Straczynski providing rewrites. Kate Beckinsale will return as Selene, the rebel vampire from the first two Underworld films. A release date has been set for January 20, 2012.

Story rumors have ranged everywhere from the movie taking place in space to Selene having a daughter to be played by an actress Beckinsale can pass the franchise off to. What is a safe bet, though, is that the movie will be shot in 3D. No word if Scott Speedman will be returning as the half-werewolf, half-vampire hybrid who Beckinsale’s character fell in love with.

Tags: Bjorn Stein, J. Michael Straczynski, John Hlavin, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Julianne Moore, kate beckinsale, Mans Marlind, Shelter, Storm, The Shield, underworld