FAQ for
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) More at IMDbPro »

The following FAQ entries may contain spoilers. Only the biggest ones (if any) will be covered with spoiler tags. Spoiler tags have been used sparingly in order to make the page more readable.

For detailed information about the amounts and types of (a) sex and nudity, (b) violence and gore, (c) profanity, (d) alcohol, drugs, and smoking, and (e) frightening and intense scenes in this movie, consult the IMDb Parents Guide for this movie. The Parents Guide for Underwold: Rise of the Lycans can be found here.

It's billed as a prequel, set during the Dark Ages when Lucian (Michael Sheen), as a young werewolf, rallies the Lycans to rise against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the leader of the vampires.

No. The first two Underworld movies, Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2006), were based on original screenplays by American screenwriters Kevin Grevioux, Danny McBride, and Len Wiseman. They were subsequently novelized as Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2006) by American science fiction writer Greg Cox. Cox also wrote a third novel, Blood Enemy (2004), which describes the Great Battle between vampires and lycans that took place over 1,000 years ago, but this is not the source for Rise of the Lycans. Danny McBride and Len Wiseman developed the screenplay for Rise of the Lycans. Cox has subsequently novelized Rise of the Lycans, which was released in December 2008.

Yes. The official website can be found here.

The prequel is before Selene's time, but she does make a cameo appearance at the very end of the movie in a pose much like she was in the beginning of the first Underworld movie.

Because they're in hibernation. Back in the first movie, it was explained that, 1400 years ago, Vampires had decided that the best way to ensure the survival of their species was for the three Elders--Viktor, Marcus, and Amelia--to 'leap frog' through time, one ruling while the other two slept, each being awakened at their appointed time according to a never-to-be-broken covenant. In Rise of the Lycans, it is Viktor who is awake.

Sonja was introduced in the first Underworld movie as Viktor's daughter. It is because of her that the entire Vampire-Lycan War began when she fell in love and mated with Lucian, creating a hybrid child that Viktor would not allow. So, Viktor placed Sonja, his own daughter, in the sun where she burnt to a crisp while Lucian was made to watch. "His own daughter burnt alive just for loving me," said Lucian poignantly in Underworld. Consequently, Viktor has spent the last 600 years exterminating the Lycan species so the bloodlines will never blend.

As you can tell, there is a three year gap between the movies needed for training, filming, and other necessities.

It's possible that William had infected a large enough group, that they were well spread throughout the country, so he was not actually leading them in this film as we never see him as he was already captured and imprisoned. When Viktor and Marcus capture William, Amielia was there as well. So all three elders were awake. This would suggest that this was before they had started taking turns ruling.

Or possibly, since the war had started, Viktor was overwhelmed and awoke both Amielia and Marcus to help him. This is less likely as none of the Lycans could transform back into human form. but it is more likely because Viktor is in charge of Marcus

It should also be pointed out that there are a couple of incorrect assumptions in the basis of this question. William never lead the Lycans, that was Lucian. William was the first werewolf, but the Lycans didn't come under true leadership until Lucian rebelled against Viktor and lead a revolt/escape. Also, not only was this before the elders took turns ruling, there would obviously had to have been a point at which Marcus and Viktor were both awake in order for them to actually make the deal that they made.