View source for The Scorpion King

{{short description|2002 film by Chuck Russell}}
{{AI-generated|date=October 2025}}
{{Redirect|The Scorpion King 1|the pharaoh|Scorpion I|other uses|Scorpion King (disambiguation){{!}}Scorpion King}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = The Scorpion King
| image          = The Scorpion King poster.jpg
| alt            =
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Chuck Russell]]
| screenplay     = {{Unbulleted list |[[Stephen Sommers]]| [[William Osborne (writer)|William Osborne]] |[[David Hayter]]}}
| story          = {{Unbulleted list |Stephen Sommers|[[Jonathan Hales]]}}
| producer       = {{Plain list|
* [[Sean Daniel]]
* [[James Jacks]]
* [[Kevin Misher]]
* Stephen Sommers
}}
| starring       = {{Plain list|
* [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]]
* [[Steven Brand]]
* [[Kelly Hu]]
* [[Bernard Hill]]
* [[Grant Heslov]]
* [[Peter Facinelli]]
* [[Michael Clarke Duncan]]
}}
| cinematography = [[John R. Leonetti]]
| editing        = {{Unbulleted list |Greg Parsons|[[Michael Tronick]]}}
| music          = [[John Debney]]
| studio         = {{Unbulleted list |[[WWE Studios|WWF Entertainment]]|Alphaville Films|Misher Films<ref>{{cite web |title=The Scorpion King |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b861b5ff3 |website=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205050058/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b861b5ff3 |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
| distributor    = [[Universal Pictures]]
| released       = {{film date|2002|4|19}}
| runtime        = 92 minutes
| country        = United States<br>Germany
| language       = English
| budget         = $60 million<ref name="mojo" />
| gross          = $178.8 million<ref name="mojo" />
}}

'''''The Scorpion King''''' is a 2002 [[action adventure film]] directed by [[Chuck Russell]]. The film stars [[Dwayne Johnson]] (credited as The Rock) as the lead, with [[Steven Brand]], [[Kelly Hu]], [[Grant Heslov]], and [[Michael Clarke Duncan]] in supporting roles. It is both a [[prequel]] and [[spinoff (media)|spin-off]] of [[The Mummy (1999 film)|''The Mummy'']] franchise and launched [[The Scorpion King (film series)|''The Scorpion King'' film series]]. The film was Johnson's first lead role. The film received mixed reviews and grossed $178.8 million worldwide against the production budget of $60 million.

The events of ''The Scorpion King'' take place 5,001 years before the events of ''[[The Mummy (1999 film)|The Mummy]]'' and ''[[The Mummy Returns]]'', revealing the origins of [[List of The Mummy (film series) characters#Mathayus (Scorpion King)|Mathayus]] and his rise to power as the Scorpion King. This name is a reference to a historical king of the [[Naqada III|Protodynastic Period of Egypt]], [[Scorpion II|King Scorpion]]. The film was released on April 19, 2002.

== Plot ==
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Before the time of the [[Egyptian pyramids|pyramids]], a horde of warriors from the East, led by Memnon, conquers most of the local tribes. No tribe is willing to fight Memnon, as his sorceress Cassandra can foresee any attack. [[List of The Mummy (film series) characters#Mathayus (Scorpion King)|Mathayus]], along with his half-brother Jesup and their friend Rama, are the only surviving [[Akkad (city)|Akkadians]]. The trio is hired by King Pheron of the free tribes to kill Cassandra.

The Akkadians sneak into Memnon's camp but are ambushed by guards, who were warned by Pheron's own son, Takmet, who had already betrayed and killed his father. Rama is killed and Jesup is captured. Mathayus finds Cassandra but spares her life before he is captured. After witnessing his brother's execution, Mathayus is buried up to his neck in the desert to be devoured by fire ants. He escapes with help from a fellow prisoner (the horse thief Arpid) and vows to avenge his brother by finishing the job.

Mathayus sneaks into Memnon's stronghold, [[Sodom and Gomorrah|Gomorrah]], with the help of a [[street urchin]]. Memnon's sympathetic court magician, Philos, helps direct Mathayus to the courtyard where Memnon is training. Mathayus' plan is interrupted, as he has to backtrack and rescue the urchin, and barely escapes Gomorrah. However, he abducts Cassandra along the way.

Memnon sends his warrior, Thorak, and a group of his men to retrieve Cassandra and kill Mathayus with scorpion venom. Mathayus leads his pursuers into a nearby cave during a sandstorm. Mathayus kills Thorak and his men, but Thorak poisons him. 
 
Cassandra cures Mathayus with her magic, believing that he is the world's best chance to kill Memnon and bring about peace. Although unsaid, Cassandra has secretly fallen in love with Mathayus since he had spared her and rescued her from Memnon, having been his prisoner since she was a child.

Mathayus, Arpid, and Cassandra find Philos, who has perfected an explosive powder. However, they are ambushed by the free tribes, who are now under the rule of the [[Nubians|Nubian King]] Balthazar. Mathayus defeats Balthazar in a fight and earns his reluctant respect and sanctuary, but Cassandra gives Mathayus two visions: one where Memnon and his army slaughter the entire rebel camp, and another where Mathayus dies facing Memnon. Mathayus reassures her that he will make his own destiny and the two have sex.

The next morning, Cassandra returns to Memnon to kill him and prevent her visions. Mathayus, with help from Balthazar, Arpid, Philos, and the army of rebels, launches an assault on Memnon's stronghold at the same time. Balthazar kills Takmet during the battle, avenging Pheron. The battle continues until a guard shoots Mathayus as predicted by Cassandra. As Memnon is about to claim victory, Cassandra kills the guard while Mathayus retrieves his bow and pulls the arrow from his back. He fires the arrow at the exhausted Memnon, sending him off the roof to his death. Philos and Arpid use the explosive powder to destroy the palace's foundation. With the battle over, the remnants of Memnon's army bow before Mathayus, who (by their law) is proclaimed the Scorpion King.

In the aftermath, Mathayus and Balthazar share a peaceful farewell as the latter returns to his kingdom. Cassandra warns Mathayus that this period of peace and prosperity is only [[The Mummy Returns|temporary]]. Undeterred, Mathayus claims that he will continue to make his own destiny.

==Cast==
* [[Dwayne Johnson]] as [[List of The Mummy (film series) characters#Mathayus (Scorpion King)|Mathayus of Akkad / The Scorpion King]]
* [[Steven Brand]] as Memnon
* [[Kelly Hu]] as Cassandra / Sorceress
* [[Grant Heslov]] as Arpid
* [[Bernard Hill]] as Philos
* [[Michael Clarke Duncan]] as Balthazar
* [[Peter Facinelli]] as Takmet
* [[Ralf Moeller]] as Thorak
* [[Branscombe Richmond]] as Jesup
* [[Roger Rees]] as King Pheron
* [[Sherri Howard]] as Queen Isis
* [[Joseph Ruskin]] as Tribal Leader
* [[Conrad Roberts]] as Chieftain

== Production ==
The production of ''The Scorpion King'' began as a spin-off of ''[[The Mummy Returns]]'' (2001), centering on the character Mathayus, portrayed by [[Dwayne Johnson|Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson]]. Recognizing the character's popularity, [[Universal Pictures]] decided to develop an origin story set in a distinct historical era, aiming to expand [[The Mummy (franchise)|''The Mummy'']] franchise. The film marked Johnson's first lead role in a feature film, where he reprised the titular character introduced in ''The Mummy Returns''. Johnson was paid $5.5 million for his performance, setting a record for the highest salary paid to a first-time lead actor,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Highest salary - debut starring role |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/77601-highest-salary-debut-starring-role |access-date=21 December 2024 |website=[[Guinness World Records]]}}</ref> a substantial increase from the $500,000 he earned for his brief role in the preceding film.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Gillian |first=Flynn |date=30 April 2002 |title=How The Rock became ''King'' |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/04/30/how-rock-became-king/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=[[EW.com]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Release==
Produced on a budget of $60 million, the film was positioned as a major action release for Universal Pictures. Recognizing Johnson's global popularity as a professional wrestler, the studio adopted an international release strategy, launching the film simultaneously in 11 overseas markets. Johnson's established appeal in over 130 countries was a key factor in the production's global marketing efforts.<ref name=":1" />

The film was released on April 19, 2002, in the United States and Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.<ref name=intlopen>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|last=Groves|first=Don|date=April 21, 2002|title='Scorpion' bows reign overseas|url=https://variety.com/2002/film/box-office/scorpion-bows-reign-overseas-1117865766/}}</ref><ref name=intlopen2/>

===Home media===
''The Scorpion King'' was released on [[DVD]] and [[VHS]] on October 1, 2002.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/2727/The-Scorpion-King-(2002).html|title=The Scorpion King DVD Release Date June 1, 2003|website=DVDs Release Dates|access-date=17 June 2019|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126055634/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/2727/The-Scorpion-King-(2002).html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released on [[Blu-ray]] on July 22, 2008, and was one of the first Universal titles released on the format.<ref>{{Citation |title=The Scorpion King Blu-ray |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Scorpion-King-Blu-ray/827/ |access-date=2022-05-13 |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513170609/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Scorpion-King-Blu-ray/827/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Scorpion King'' was released on [[Ultra HD Blu-ray|4K]] on June 18, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Scorpion King 4K Blu-ray|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Scorpion-King-4K-Blu-ray/238868/|access-date=17 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608125833/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Scorpion-King-4K-Blu-ray/238868/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Video games===
The film inspired two video games: ''[[The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian]]'' for the [[Nintendo]] [[GameCube]] and the [[PlayStation 2]], which was a prequel to the film's events, and a sequel, ''[[The Scorpion King: Sword of Osiris]]'', for the [[Game Boy Advance]], in which Cassandra is abducted by the ruthless sorcerer Menthu and his lackey, the witch Isis (not to be confused with Queen Isis from the film), prompting Mathayus to undergo a quest to uncover the legendary Sword of Osiris to defeat Menthu and Isis and rescue Cassandra.

==Reception==
===Box office===
''The Scorpion King'' grossed $12,553,380 on its opening day and $36,075,875 in total over the weekend, from 3,444 theaters in the United States and Canada for an average of $10,475 per venue, ranking at [[List of 2002 box office number-one films in the United States|number one at the US box office]]. The film had the largest April opening weekend at that time, beating ''[[The Matrix]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title='Scorpion King' dominates US box office |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/04/21/Scorpion-King-dominates-US-box-office/8971019361600/ |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=[[United Press International]] |date=21 April 2002 |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306182625/https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/04/21/Scorpion-King-dominates-US-box-office/8971019361600/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This record would only last for a year before being surpassed by ''[[Anger Management (film)|Anger Management]]'' in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Brandon |date=April 14, 2003 |title='Anger' Manages April Record: $42.2 Million |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed829686788/ |access-date=May 14, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514235806/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed829686788/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Internationally, it grossed $10 million in its first five days from 1,097 screens, and was number one in nine of the 11 territories it opened in, including setting a record non-holiday opening in Singapore with a gross of $591,000.<ref name=intlopen/><ref name=intlopen2>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=April 29, 2002|title='Scorpion' solid as a rock in Asia and Oz|last=Groves|first=Don|page=14}}</ref> Grosses in the United States and Canada dropped 50 percent in the second weekend, but the film remained at number one, grossing another $18,038,270. Internationally, it expanded to 35 markets and grossed $12 million.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 6, 2002|title='Boy' has promise; 'Ice,' 'Panic' sturdy|last=Groves|first=Don|page=13}}</ref> The film closed on June 27, 2002, with a total domestic gross of $91,047,077, and an additional $87,752,231 internationally, for a total worldwide gross of $178,799,308, against a budget of $60 million, making it a moderate box office success.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web |title=The Scorpion King |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=scorpionking.htm |access-date=4 January 2010 |archive-date=16 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216212000/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=scorpionking.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Critical response===
{{Anchor|Critics}}
''The Scorpion King'' holds a 40% approval rating on [[Rotten Tomatoes]], based on 135 reviews, with an average rating of 4.9/10. The site's critical consensus states, "Action adventure doesn't get much cheesier than ''The Scorpion King.''"<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/scorpion_king/ | title = The Scorpion King | work = Rotten Tomatoes | publisher = [[Fandango Media]] | access-date = 6 March 2025 | archive-date = 21 September 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200921022245/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/scorpion_king | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gave the film a weighted average score of 45 out of 100, based on 30 reviews.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Scorpion King | url = https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-scorpion-king | work = [[Metacritic]] | publisher = [[Red Ventures]] | access-date = 7 June 2010 | archive-date = 2 February 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220202040632/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-scorpion-king | url-status = live }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of B, on a scale of A+ to F.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= SCORPION KING, THE (2002) B |work= [[CinemaScore]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= 2018-12-20 }}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]], film critic of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, writing "Here is a movie that embraces its goofiness like a Get Out of Jail Free card. The plot is recycled out of previous recycling jobs, the special effects are bad enough that you can grin at them, and the dialogue sounds like the pre-Pyramidal desert warriors are channeling a [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] sitcom... For its target audience, looking for a few laughs, martial arts and stuff that blows up real good, it will be exactly what they expected. It has high energy, the action never stops, the dialogue knows it's funny, and The Rock has the authority to play the role and the fortitude to keep a straight face. I expect him to become a durable action star."<ref>{{cite web |date=April 19, 2002 |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=The Scorpion King |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-scorpion-king-2002 |website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=26 December 2018 |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720182552/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-scorpion-king-2002 |url-status=live }} {{Rating|3|4}}</ref>

[[James Berardinelli]] of ''ReelViews'' gave the film two stars (out of four), saying: "It's possible to make an engaging action/adventure picture of this sort, but ''The Scorpion King'' isn't it."<ref>[http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/scorpion_king.html Review by James Berardinelli] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105083540/http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/scorpion_king.html |date=5 January 2020 }}, ReelViews {{Rating|2|4}}</ref>
Dennis Harvey of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' gave a positive review, saying the film "rouses excitement mostly from stuntwork and [actors'] agility rather than CGI excess."<ref>{{cite magazine | date = April 18, 2002 | url = https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/the-scorpion-king-1200550229/ | title = The Scorpion King| first = Dennis | last = Harvey | magazine = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date = 9 September 2020}}</ref> Nathan Rabin of [[The Onion]]'s ''[[The A.V. Club|A.V. Club]]'' gave the film a mildly positive review, calling it "prototypical summer-movie fare, designed to be consumed, enjoyed, and forgotten all at once."<ref>{{cite web | title = The Scorpion King | date = 29 April 2002 | first = Nathan | last = Rabin | url = https://www.avclub.com/the-scorpion-king-1798197455 | work = [[The A.V. Club]] | publisher = [[The Onion]] | access-date = 20 April 2020 | archive-date = 6 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121006162112/http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-scorpion-king,17437/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
[[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a score of C+, calling it "plodding and obvious" but adding that The Rock "holds it together."<ref>[https://archive.today/20120805062744/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,231509~1~0~scorpionking,00.html Review by Owen Gleiberman], [[Entertainment Weekly]]</ref>
Jonathan Foreman of the ''[[New York Post]]'' gave a negative review, saying that ''The Scorpion King'' "has none of the qualities—epic sweep, relative originality and heartfelt bloodthirstiness—that made ''[[Conan the Barbarian (1982 film)|Conan]]'' so trashily entertaining."<ref>[http://www.nypost.com/movies/41652.htm Review by Jonathan Foreman] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509143136/http://www.nypost.com/movies/41652.htm |date=9 May 2006 }}, [[The New York Post]]</ref>

===Accolades===
The film was nominated for [[Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film|Best Fantasy Film]] at the [[Saturn Awards]] but lost to ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'' (also starred [[Bernard Hill]]).

== Historical accuracy ==
''The Scorpion King'' blends historical inspiration with imaginative storytelling, resulting in a fictionalized portrayal of ancient Egypt. While the film draws from mythological and historical elements, it prioritizes adventure and fantasy over historical accuracy.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Ruscinski |first=Max |date=2024-11-02 |title=The Scorpion King True Story: Did Dwayne Johnson's Character Really Exist? |url=https://screenrant.com/the-scorpion-king-true-story-character-inspiration/ |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref>

The character Mathayus, played by Dwayne Johnson, is loosely inspired by King Scorpion, a ruler from ancient Egypt's [[Prehistoric Egypt|Predynastic Period]]. King Scorpion is believed to have played a key role in consolidating power in southern Egypt before the unification of [[Upper and Lower Egypt]], which marked the beginning of the [[First Dynasty of Egypt|First Dynastic Period]] (3150–2613 BCE).<ref name=":4" /> Some historians associate King Scorpion with King [[Narmer]], credited with uniting Egypt, though this connection remains speculative. Archaeological findings, such as the Scorpion Tableau discovered at [[Gebel Tjauti]] in 1995, provide evidence of King Scorpion's existence.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2002-04-16 |title=Carving of a King Could Rewrite History |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/16/science/carving-of-a-king-could-rewrite-history.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210000902/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/16/science/carving-of-a-king-could-rewrite-history.html |archive-date=10 December 2024 |access-date=2024-12-20 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The film's story of uniting Egypt's tribes echoes Narmer's historical unification of Upper and Lower Egypt but remains largely fictional, prioritizing myth and adventure.<ref name=":4" />

In the film, Mathayus is depicted as an Akkadian assassin tasked with defeating Memnon, a tyrant attempting to control the fragmented tribes of Egypt. This portrayal significantly diverges from historical accounts of King Scorpion. While the historical figure's association with scorpions comes from depictions on artifacts like the [[Narmer Palette]], the film invents a fictional backstory involving scorpion venom to symbolize Mathayus's connection to the creature.<ref name=":4" />

Other elements in the film are entirely fictional. Cassandra, a sorceress with prophetic powers, and Memnon, the primary antagonist, have no historical counterparts. While ancient Egyptian rulers are known to have consulted [[oracle]]s, Cassandra's supernatural abilities were created to enhance the film's fantasy elements. Similarly, there is no historical evidence of a ruler named Memnon opposing King Scorpion.<ref name=":4" />

Director Chuck Russell acknowledged that the film prioritized visual appeal over historical accuracy.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=29 April 2002 |title=How historically accurate is ''Scorpion King''? |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/04/29/how-historically-accurate-scorpion-king/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=[[EW.com]] |language=en}}</ref> Modern elements, such as [[bikini waxing]] for characters, were included to enhance aesthetics, aligning with some ancient Egyptian grooming practices. Egyptians often wore transparent clothing suited to the climate and removed body hair using methods such as plucking, though specific details remain uncertain.<ref name=":3" />

The release of ''The Scorpion King'' coincided with increased public interest in the historical King Scorpion. This was further fueled by the [[History Channel]] documentary ''The Real Scorpion King'', which aired in April 2002. A spokesperson for Universal Pictures clarified that the film's story was unrelated to the historical King Scorpion or archaeological discoveries.<ref name=":2" />

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name       = The Scorpion King
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = Various artists
| cover      =
| caption    =
| alt        =
| released   = March 26, 2002
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      =
* [[Nu metal]]
* [[alternative metal]]
| length     = 1:00:41
| label      = [[Universal Records (1995−2006)|Universal]]
| producer   = Various artists
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
| misc       = {{Singles
 | name        = The Scorpion King
 | type        = soundtrack
 | single1     = [[I Stand Alone (Godsmack song)|I Stand Alone]]
 | single1date = February 2002
}}
}}
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="stone1">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r580844|title=The Scorpion King [Soundtrack]|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=9 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209024215/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r580844|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
The soundtrack to ''The Scorpion King'' was released on March 26, 2002, just before the film. It contains tracks from various bands performing either previously released tracks or their B-sides. The album has been certified Gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=scorpion+king|title=Gold & Platinum|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]|access-date=18 October 2017|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202163542/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=scorpion+king|url-status=live}}</ref><br> The 14-track score for the film, composed by [[John Debney]], was released separately.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Scorpion King (Original Motion Picture Score) |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/277527-John-Debney-The-Scorpion-King-Original-Motion-Picture-Score |website=discogs.com |publisher=Discogs |access-date=3 February 2025}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline     = Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 1:00:41

| title1   = [[I Stand Alone (Godsmack song)|I Stand Alone]]
| note1    = [[Godsmack]]
| writer1  = [[Sully Erna]]
| extra1   = {{hlist|David Bottrill|Sully Erna{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length1  = 4:05

| title2   = Set It Off ([[Tweaker (band)|Tweaker]] remix)
| note2    = [[P.O.D.]]
| writer2  = P.O.D.
| extra2   = {{hlist|[[Howard Benson]]|P.O.D.{{ref|a|[a]}}|[[Chris Vrenna]]{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length2  = 4:10

| title3   = Break You
| note3    = [[Drowning Pool]]
| writer3  = Drowning Pool
| extra3   = [[Jay Baumgardner]]
| length3  = 2:48

| title4   = Streamline
| note4    = [[System of a Down]]
| writer4  = {{hlist|[[Serj Tankian]]{{ref|c|[c]}}{{ref|d|[d]}}|[[Daron Malakian]]{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| extra4   = [[Rick Rubin]]
| length4  = 3:36

| title5   = To Whom It May Concern
| note5    = [[Creed (band)|Creed]]
| writer5  = {{hlist|[[Mark Tremonti]]|[[Scott Stapp]]}}
| extra5   = [[John Kurzweg]]
| length5  = 5:09

| title6   = Yanking Out My Heart
| note6    = [[Nickelback]]
| writer6  = {{hlist|[[Chad Kroeger]]{{ref|c|[c]}}|Nickelback{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| extra6   = {{hlist|[[Rick Parashar]]|Nickelback}}
| length6  = 3:35

| title7   = Losing My Grip
| note7    = [[Hoobastank]]
| writer7  = {{hlist|Doug Robb|Daniel Estrin|Markku Lappalainen|Chris Hesse}}
| extra7   = Jim Wirt
| length7  = 3:55

| title8   = Only the Strong
| note8    = [[Flaw (band)|Flaw]]
| writer8  = {{hlist|[[Chris Volz]]{{ref|c|[c]}}|Flaw{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| extra8   = Bottrill
| length8  = 4:17

| title9   = Iron Head
| note9    = [[Rob Zombie]] featuring [[Ozzy Osbourne]]
| writer9  = {{hlist|Rob Zombie|[[Mike Riggs]]|[[Scott Humphrey]]}}
| extra9   = {{hlist|Scott Humphrey|Rob Zombie}}
| length9  = 4:10

| title10  = My Life
| note10   = [[12 Stones]]
| writer10 = 12 Stones
| extra10  = {{hlist|Baumgardner|Dave Fortman{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length10 = 3:03

| title11  = Along the Way
| note11   = [[Mushroomhead]]
| writer11 = {{hlist|[[Steve Felton]]|[[Jeffrey Hatrix]]|[[Tom Schmitz]]|[[Jason Popson]]|[[Jack Kilcoyne]]|[[Dave Felton]]|Marko Vukcevich}}
| extra11  = {{hlist|Steve Felton|Mushroomhead}}
| length11 = 3:17

| title12  = Breathless
| note12   = [[Lifer (band)|Lifer]]
| writer12 = {{hlist|Nick Coyle{{ref|c|[c]}}|Lifer{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| extra12  = [[Alex Lifeson]]
| length12 = 4:04

| title13  = Corrected
| note13   = [[Sevendust]]
| writer13 = {{hlist|[[John Connolly (musician)|John Connolly]]{{ref|c|[c]}}|[[Vinnie Hornsby]]{{ref|c|[c]}}|[[Clint Lowery]]{{ref|c|[c]}}|[[Morgan Rose]]{{ref|c|[c]}}|Sevendust{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| extra13  = {{hlist|[[Ben Grosse]]|Sevendust}}
| length13 = 4:31

| title14  = Burn It Black
| note14   = [[Injected (band)|Injected]]
| writer14 = Injected
| extra14  = [[Butch Walker]]
| length14 = 2:42

| title15  = 27
| note15   = [[Breaking Point (band)|Breaking Point]]
| writer15 = {{hlist|Justin Rimer|Brett Erickson}}
| extra15  = {{hlist|Paul Ebersold{{ref|a|[a]}}|Matt Martone{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length15 = 3:38

| title16  = Glow
| note16   = [[Coal Chamber]]
| writer16 = {{hlist|[[Dez Fafara|B. Dez Fafara]]{{ref|c|[c]}}{{ref|d|[d]}}|Miguel Rascon{{ref|d|[d]}}|Rayna Foss-Rose{{ref|d|[d]}}|Mike Cox{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| extra16  = Ross Hogarth
| length16 = 3:06
}}

'''Notes'''
*{{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer
*{{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} signifies an additional producer
*{{sup|{{note|c|[c]}}}} signifies a lyricist
*{{sup|{{note|d|[d]}}}} signifies a music composer

=== Weekly charts ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for ''The Scorpion King''
! scope="col"| Chart (2002)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
{{album chart|Austria|18|artist=Soundtrack|album=The Scorpion King|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 24, 2022}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[Canadian Albums Chart|Canadian Albums]] ([[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']])<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040902001259/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/prev_041802_ALBUMS.html|archivedate=September 2, 2004|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/prev_041802_ALBUMS.html|title=Top 100 Albums: April 18, 2002|website=[[Jam!]]|accessdate=November 20, 2023}}</ref>
| 12
|-
{{album chart|Germany|38|artist=Soundtrack|album=The Scorpion King|id=9241|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 24, 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|25|artist=Soundtrack|album=The Scorpion King|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 24, 2022}}
|}

=== Year-end charts ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end chart performance for ''The Scorpion King''
! scope="col"| Chart (2002)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040906184132/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/200-2_2002.html|archivedate=September 6, 2004|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/200-2_2002.html|title=Top 200 Albums of 2002 (based on sales)|website=[[Jam!]]|accessdate=March 23, 2022}}</ref>
| 160
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Alternative Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref name = "CANALTYE02">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204012816/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_alt.html|archivedate=December 4, 2003|url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_alt.html|title=Canada's Top 200 Alternative albums of 2002|website=[[Jam!]]|accessdate=March 26, 2022}}</ref>
| 52
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Metal Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040812035533/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_metal.html|archivedate=August 12, 2004|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_metal.html|title=Top 100 Metal Albums of 2002|website=[[Jam!]]|accessdate=March 23, 2022}}</ref>
| 26
|}

=== Certifications ===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Soundtrack|title=The Scorpion King|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2002|certyear=2002|accessdate=October 17, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

==Legacy==
{{Main|The Scorpion King (film series)}}

===Prequel and sequels===
Following the film's release, there were plans for a sequel with Johnson to return as Mathayus and go up against a new villain, Sargon, but these plans eventually fell through and the project was shelved. A direct-to-video prequel, ''[[The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior]]'', was released in 2008 with [[Michael Copon]] as Mathayus and [[Randy Couture]] as Sargon.

A sequel, ''[[The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption]]'', was released in 2012 with [[Victor Webster]] as Mathayus and [[Billy Zane]] as the villain, King Talus. The fourth film in the franchise, ''[[The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power]]'', was released in 2015. Webster reprised his role, while [[Michael Biehn]], [[Rutger Hauer]], [[Lou Ferrigno]], and former [[WWE]] wrestler [[Eve Torres]] joined the cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-divas/exclusive-interview-eve-torres-on-life-after-wwe-26161569|title=Exclusive interview: Eve Torres on life after WWE|work=WWE|access-date=4 October 2014|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618231125/https://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-divas/exclusive-interview-eve-torres-on-life-after-wwe-26161569|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Will Kemp (actor, born 1977)|Will Kemp]] portrayed the villain, Drazen.

A fifth and final film, ''[[Scorpion King: Book of Souls]]'', was released in 2018. [[Zach McGowan]] played Mathayus, while [[Peter Mensah]] portrayed the villain, Nebserek.

===Reboot===
In November 2020, a reboot of [[The Scorpion King (film series)|''The Scorpion King'' film series]] was announced to be in development. [[Jonathan Herman]] will serve as screenwriter, with the plot taking place in the modern-day, involving a contemporary adaptation of the [[List of The Mummy (film series) characters#Mathayus (Scorpion King)|Mathayus of Akkad / Scorpion King]] character. [[Dwayne Johnson]] will serve as producer alongside Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. The project will be a joint-venture production between Universal Pictures and [[Seven Bucks Productions]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/dwayne-johnson-scorpion-king-straight-outta-compton-jonathan-herman-1234611341/|title='Scorpion King' Reboot In Works From Dwayne Johnson And Dany Garcia's Seven Bucks Productions And Universal; 'Straight Outta Compton' Scribe Jonathan Herman Penning Script|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=November 10, 2020|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118204607/https://deadline.com/2020/11/dwayne-johnson-scorpion-king-straight-outta-compton-jonathan-herman-1234611341/|url-status=live}}</ref> Hiram Garcia later gave an update on it a year later saying it was still in development. <ref>https://screenrant.com/scorpion-king-reboot-movie-dwayne-johnson-producer-updates/</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|http://www.the-scorpion-king.com}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022}}
* {{IMDb title|0277296}}

{{The Mummy}}
{{Chuck Russell}}
{{WWE Studios}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scorpion King}}
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