When twenty years ago he staged Underworlddirector Len Wiseman he was new to the film industry, having come to direct the film (which later became a cult classic) after only directing music videos. Many things were new to him, and some he simply did not know or had not even heard of. On the occasion of Underworld’s anniversary, Wiseman gave an interview to Collider in which he said that he believed he had “discovered,” artistically speaking, Bill Nighycame to audition.
Nighy played Victor, one of the oldest and most powerful vampires in the series. Hell, the one who left clear instructions to wake him from hibernation only in case of emergency. This is what Selena does(Kate Beckinsale), but the violation of protocol also awakens Victor’s rage. And Wiseman saw Naya’s potential as an older vampire during casting:
“When I went to London and was casting and we were looking for Victor, I saw a lot of actors coming up with characters like the Emperor from Star Wars and all these really great character actors. I didn’t know Bill Nighy. I was behind the camera, auditioning, and I got chills. I remember telling the studio, “I’ve found a guy who’s going to give people this impression, his name is Bill Nighy.” I thought I had it figured out, I was so naive.”
Soon after he starred in Hell, Bill Nighy his name became a household name in mainstream cinema after he played the villain Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Slartibartfast V The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and minister Rufus Scrimgeour V Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1.. Nighy also reprized his role as Victor in Underworld: Evolution AND Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. Wiseman worked with the actor again on the film’s remake. Remember allthis time fully aware of who the British star was.
In addition to Nighy and Beckinsale, the cast of A Different World also includes Scott Speedman (Grey’s Anatomy) Michael Sheen (Good Omens) Shane Brolly (Spreads), Wentworth Miller (Legends of Tomorrow) e Sophia Myles (A very British scandal).