Deadline is reporting that Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia are attempting to reboot the Scorpion King through Seven Bucks Productions for Universal Studios. The character originally appeared in the 2001 film The Mummy Returns briefly at a fight scene near the end. The 2001 CGI of the king looks more akin to PS2 graphics than a Hollywood film, though the character is special to Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson.
Johnson is one of the busiest actors in the industry, the former WWE star is currently in various stages of production in eight projects, all of which he is the lead in, so it is no surprise that he will not be reprising his role as Mathayus. However, Mathayus holds a special place in Johnson’s heart as that was his first film role. While he was in WWE and some TV series, this was his first acting role that was not simply a version of himself.
While the lead and director are still in search, the script will be penned by Jonathan Herman. He is one of the Oscar nominated screenwriters of the 2015 film Straight Outta Compton, which gained acclaim from critics and audiences alike. No plot details are final, but sources say that, similar to the Mummy reboot with Tom Cruise, this iteration of the Scorpion King will be contemporary.
Garcia and Johnson are excited to oversee the project as producers. The pair had been married at the time of Johnson’s original casting. While the couple eventually got a divorce that was finalized in 2008, they seem excited to work on a reboot of a film that jolted both of their careers.
Though Johnson has not appeared in a Scorpion King film since 2002, the series has continued with direct to TV movies that had a rotating roster that played Mathayus in the subsequent films. The latest coming out just two years ago in October of 2018.
There is no set production date, but it is safe to assume that it will begin within the next couple years.
Leave a Comment