Dwayne Johnson announces 'The Scorpion King' reboot

'Straight Outta Compton' screenwriter Jonathan Herman is penning the script

Dwayne Johnson is planning a reboot of his 2002 movie The Scorpion King, which launched him in Hollywood. The 48-year-old star has partnered with Universal Pictures to develop the reboot and has roped in Straight Outta Compton screenwriter Jonathan Herman for penning the script, reported Variety.

The Scorpion King was a spinoff of Brendan Fraser’s The Mummy series, which saw Johnson’s Scorpion King serve as an antagonist of 2001’s The Mummy Returns.

The film, which was a prequel, told the story of the desert warrior Mathayus (played by Johnson). The movie earned $178.7 million globally and launched Johnson, who was then known for his stint in WWE, as a leading man.

The new movie will be produced by Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions. It is being described as a contemporary take and not set in the distant past like the original.

“The Scorpion King was my very first role ever on the silver screen and I’m honoured and excited to reimagine and deliver this cool mythology to a whole new generation,” said Johnson.

“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 hardworking actors today. I believe Jonathan Herman will put in the hard work to deliver a fantastic script for our global audience,” he added.

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