Universal's direct-to-DVD feature THE SCORPION KING: RISE OF THE AKKADIAN has commenced principal photography in Capetown, South Africa. Universal Studios Home Ent. Family Prods. is co-producing with Film Afrika and ApolloMovie. Universal Studios Home Ent. is distributing on DVD in 2008.
THE SCORPION KING: RISE OF THE AKKADIAN is the prequel to THE SCORPION KING, the action prequel to THE MUMMY franchise that starred Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Mathayus, the fearsome warrior king of an ancient desert empire. The new film tells the story of how the young Mathayus rose to become the Scorpion King. Shot entirely in South Africa, the film is directed by Russell Mulcahy (RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION, HIGHLANDER) and stars Michael Copon (BEYOND THE BREAK, BRING IT ON: IN IT TO WIN IT) as the young hero Mathayus, Simon Quarterman (MURDER ROOMS: THE PATIENT'S EYES) as the wily Ari, Karen David (THE COLOUR OF MAGIC) as the beautiful Layla, Ralf Moeller (PATHFINDER) as the fierce warrior Pollux, and current six-time Ultimate Fighting Championship king Randy Couture (INVINCIBLE) -- holder of three heavyweight and three light heavyweight titles -- as the charismatic and powerful villain Sargon.
THE SCORPION KING: RISE OF THE AKKADIAN is written by Randall McCormick (SPEED 2, TITAN A.E.). David Wicht, Thomas Becker and Jörg Westerkamp are co-producers and Sean Daniels and Jim Jacks (both of THE MUMMY and THE SCORPION KING) are the exec producers. The film's production team includes director of photography Glynn Speekaert, production designer Tom Hannam, editor John Gilbert and costume designer Diana Cilliers. Andre Van Der Merwe is the visual effects supervisor.
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