She starred in the films Pearl Harbor ( 2001 ) , Underworld ( 2003 ) and Van Helsing ( 2004 ) . In 2001 , Beckinsale garnered international recognition when she was cast as the romantic lead opposite Ben Affleck in her breakthrough film , Pearl Harbor ( 2001 ) . Since then , she has portrayed a variety of characters in projects such as Underworld ( 2003 ) , Tiptoes ( 2003 ) , The Aviator ( 2004 ) , and Van Helsing ( 2004 ) .