Back in November, we brought you the new title and synopsis for the fourth installment in the Underworld franchise, Underworld: New Dawn. The film is being produced by Len Wiseman (The World After), who directed the first two Underworld films, part four also marks Kate Beckinsale‘s return to the role of Seline.

Now, Deadline reports that Michael Ealy (FlashForward, Californication) has signed on to play the male lead in Underworld: New Dawn, a police detective who hunts the vampires and ultimately joins forces with Kate Beckinsale‘s Seline in the Screen Gems and Lakeshore Entertainment film.

Underworld: New Dawn comes is slated to hit theaters on January 20th, 2012.