Universal Teaming With The Rock For Scorpion King Reboot

Universal is raising The Scorpion King from the dead, and teaming with The Rock to do it. Deadline reports that the studio is developing a reboot of the 2002 spin-off of The Mummy franchise, which starred Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the lead role after he played said character in The Mummy Returns.

The original film looked back at the origins of the Scorpion King 5,000 years before the events of the main franchise, with Mathayus (Johnson) as a warrior who rose up to stand against the evil Memmnon who is conquering the local tribes. The film served as Johnnson’s first starring role and while it wasn’t beloved by critics, it was a financial success and spawned four straight to video sequels (none of which starred Johnson).

Johnson will produce the new film alongside Dany Garcia and Hiram Gacia via Seven Bucks Productions, which will be written by Jonathan Herman (Straight Outta Compton). Universal’s Senior VP of Production Jay Polidoro and Creative Executive Tony Ducret will oversee the film for the studio.

Plot details for the reboot are under wraps, and a new actor is being sought to play the lead role.

“The original Scorpion King was a crucial catalyst helping to catapult us into the world of film,” Garcia said in a statement. “To be able to now produce the next iteration as part of our Seven Bucks Productions slate is a special, full circle moment, a testament to what we have been fortunate enough to build for our audience and ultimately a humble reminder of the timeless value of authentic storytelling.”

“The Scorpion King was my very first role ever on the silver screen and I’m honored and excited to reimagine and deliver this cool mythology to a whole new generation,” Johnson added. “I wouldn’t have had the career I’m lucky enough to have had it not been for The Scorpion King and I’m thrilled that we at Seven Bucks Productions can help create those same opportunities for other hard working actors today. I believe Jonathan Herman will put in the hard work to deliver a fantastic script for our global audience.”