UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., June 20 -- Universal Studios Home Video will unleash "The Scorpion King," the $90 million box office spin-off of the phenomenally popular "Mummy" series, on DVD and VHS October 1, 2002. The widescreen and full-framed DVD version will be priced at $26.98 Suggested Retail Price and a special DVD + CD soundtrack edition, offering never-before- released live tracks performed by multi-Platinum selling artist Godsmack, will be priced at $39.98 S.R.P. The VHS will be priced at $22.98 S.R.P.
Filled with explosive battle scenes and larger than life characters, "The Scorpion King" stars WWE sensation and pop-culture phenomenon, The Rock. On track to become the next action hero, The Rock tears up the screen as the most feared warrior in ancient Egypt -- the Scorpion King. The film, which features mind-blowing action and stunts, is directed by Chuck Russell ("The Mask," "Eraser") and produced by Stephen Sommers, Sean Daniel, James Jacks and Kevin Misher. WWE Chairman Vincent K. McMahon served as executive producer.
Also debuting October 1 on DVD and VHS is "The Mummy: Quest for the Lost Scrolls," a feature-length animated adventure based on the characters in "The Mummy Returns" and appropriately geared for kids between the ages five to nine.
The "Scorpion King" DVD is packed with exciting original content, topped by an exclusive visit to the set of "Helldorado" starring The Rock in his next starring feature film. Here's a list of the DVD bonus features:
-- First look at "Helldorado" -- An Exclusive Sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes making of the Rock's next film still in production.
-- Live Footage from The Rock's Feature Commentary -- The Rock hosts a personal look and provides fascinating anecdotes about the making of the film.
-- Extended Version in Enhanced Viewing Mode -- Alternate versions of key scenes available exclusively through the "Enhanced Viewing Mode" option.
-- Choreography of a Fight Sequence -- A shot-by-shot segment that follows the intricately choreographed fight scenes from storyboards to choreography to rehearsal.
-- Universal Studios Total Axess(TM) -- A unique DVD ROM online destination offering exclusive additional behind-the-scenes footage, audio commentaries, deleted scenes, storyboards, and other bonus materials updated on a regular basis.
Other bonus materials include feature commentary with director Chuck Russell, a "Scorpion King" making-of documentary, a discussion with the film's visual effects team and a music video of the film's hit single "I Stand Alone" by Godsmack.
The Special Edition "Scorpion King" DVD +CD includes the bonus CD soundtrack featuring three never-before-released live performance tracks from the multi-Platinum best-selling artist Godsmack: "Keep Away," "Awake," and "Spiral." The Universal Records/UMG Soundtracks title is currently in the top 5 on Billboard's Top Soundtracks chart after 10 weeks, including a week in the #1 position.
Exposure on over 70 million packages of top consumer brands Hershey's, A&W, 7UP, Sunkist, and Welch's products will supplement Universal's multi- million marketing campaign. Hershey's and Dr. Pepper/7UP will conduct a national consumer "Thrillogy Sweepstakes" and award thousands of "thrillogy" video sets, containing "The Scorpion King," "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns." Two instant winners will each receive a $10,000 cash prize. The contest dates are August 1 to December 31, 2002.
Just in time for Halloween, consumers who purchase "The Scorpion King" DVD or VHS or one of six select Universal titles will receive a free bag of Hershey's candy instantly. Other titles in the promotion are "The Mummy," "The Mummy Returns," "The Mummy: Quest for the Lost Scrolls," "Jurassic Park," "Jurassic Park: The Lost World," or "Jurassic Park III." The offer, which runs from October 13 to November 3, will be advertised in a national FSI insert hitting more than 50 million households on October 13, 2002.
In addition, Universal is also teaming with leading Internet portals, AOL, and Yahoo! for numerous online cross-promotions. All of Universal's promotions for "The Scorpion King," as well as exclusive online materials can be accessed at http://www.the-scorpion-king.com .
As well, "The Mummy: Quest for the Lost Scrolls," the newest addition to hit the Mummy franchise, comes to video and DVD on October 1, 2002 as an action-packed animated adventure.
Set 5000 years ago in the infamous city of Gomorrah, "The Scorpion King" is a head-on confrontation between good and evil. Warlord Memmon (Steven Brand) has created a reign of terror across the desert using a sorceress (Kelly Hu), who envisions all his victories. Only a few free tribes remain and in order to defeat Memmon they reluctantly hire Mathayus (The Rock) to kill the beautiful sorceress. Instead he kidnaps her to lure Memmon into a trap. With the help of the leader of the free tribe, Balthazar (Academy Award nominee Michael Clarke Duncan), and an unlikely accomplice, the stage is set for the ultimate showdown.
From the creative behind "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns," "The Scorpion King" is the spin-off adventure written by Jonathan Hales, Stephen Sommers and Will Osborne. The film was directed by Chuck Russell ("The Mask," "Eraser") and produced by Jim Jacks, Sean Daniel, and Stephen Sommers with WWF's Vince McMahon serving as executive producer.
Director: Chuck Russell
Screenwriters: Stephen Sommers, William Osborne, David Hayter
Producers: Stephen Sommers, Sean Daniel, James Jacks, Kevin Misher,
Vince McMahon (Exec. Producer)
Director of Photography: John R. Leonetti
Production Designer: Ed Verreaux
Editors: Michael Tronick, Gregg Parsons
Costume Designer: John Bloomfield
Cast: The Rock, Steven Brand, Kelly Hu, Michael Clarke Duncan
VHS EDITION
Street Date: October 1, 2002
Order Close: August 27, 2002
Copyright: 2002 KALIMA Productions, GmbH & Co. KG
Rating: PG-13 (intense sequences of action violence and some sensuality)
Price: $14.95 M.A.P./$22.98 S.R.P.
DVD EDITION
Street Date: October 1, 2002
Order Close: August 13, 2002
Copyright: 2002 KALIMA Productions, GmbH & Co. KG
Rating: PG-13 (intense sequences of action violence and some sensuality)
Price: $19.95 M.A.P./$26.98 S.R.P.
DVD + CD Special Edition: $39.98 S.R.P.
Bonus Material: "Helldorado" Sneak Peek, Extended Version in Enhanced
View Mode with Deleted Scenes, Feature audio commentary
with Director Chuck Russell, Choreography of a Fight
Scene, Making of "The Scorpion King." Godsmack music
video "I Stand Alone."