UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., April 22 -- Universal Pictures' "The Scorpion King," the eagerly awaited spin-off of the studio's blockbuster action-adventure "Mummy" franchise, rocketed into first place at the box office this weekend with a three-day tally of $36.07 million, making it the biggest April opening in box office history.
With his first leading role, The Rock now clearly joins the first ranks of box office stars. Playing in 3,444 theaters nationwide, "The Scorpion King" amassed a ferocious per screen average of $10,475, following the path set by the two hugely successful films that spawned it. The Rock's character, a legendary Egyptian warrior, was first introduced in "The Mummy Returns." "The Scorpion King's" release marks the first time in recent movie history that one franchise has given birth to another.
"'The Scorpion King' offers dynamic and dramatic evidence that you don't need to wait for summer to open a big, crowd-pleasing movie," said Nikki Rocco, president, distribution, Universal Pictures. "The audience for a charismatic star like The Rock in an exciting story -- with roots in one of our most successful franchises ever -- exists 52 weeks a year."
"'The Mummy' and 'The Mummy Returns' were extremely satisfying projects for us, from inception through release, and we were excited by the thought of expanding the franchise," said Stacey Snider, chairman, Universal Pictures. "As soon as we saw dailies of The Rock from 'The Mummy Returns,' we started preparing the spin-off. I am thrilled with what our filmmakers have accomplished with 'The Scorpion King.'"
Mary Parent and Scott Stuber, presidents, production, Universal Pictures, added: "The creative chemistry of our producing partners on this film -- Stephen Sommers, Jim Jacks, Sean Daniel and Kevin Misher -- has yielded amazing results in the past. Add an element like The Rock and this team becomes even more potent. We are so pleased with the collaboration that occurred here and want to express our gratitude to everyone involved in making 'The Scorpion King.'"
Inspired by the legendary warrior, "The Scorpion King" is set 5000 years ago in the notorious city of Gomorrah, where an evil ruler (Steven Brand) is determined to lay waste to all the nomadic peoples of the desert. One man, descended from a long line of warriors skilled in the deadly arts, becomes the only hope of these desperate people. His name is Mathayus (The Rock), and as he takes on this mission, he also transcends his identity -- evolving from assassin to legend to king.
Co-starring Michael Clarke Duncan ("The Green Mile"), Steven Brand and Kelly Hu, "The Scorpion King" was directed by Chuck Russell ("The Mask," "Eraser") and written by Stephen Sommers and Will Osborne and David Hayter from a story by Sommers and Jonathan Hales. Sommers, Sean Daniel, James Jacks and Kevin Misher are the producers and Vince McMahon is the executive producer.
Russell's behind-the-camera team includes director of photography John Leonetti ("The Mask"), production designer Ed Verreaux ("Jurassic Park III"), editors Michael Tronick ("Eraser") and Greg Parsons, composer John Debney ("Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius") and costume designer John Bloomfield ("The Mummy Returns").
Last May, "The Mummy Returns" opened with a record-breaking three-day
domestic tally of $68.1; its worldwide cume to date is $429.4 million. In May
2000, The Mummy opened to $43.4 million domestically, eventually grossing
$412.7 million worldwide.