Directors might be the most important part of any film. They
steer the ship. You might say that they’re the captain. The director takes the
story from the page and brings it to life on the screen. They convey their
vision to the rest of the crew, and the crew makes everything work to assist
that vision. The lighting, camera movements, sound effects, visual effects, and
performances all come down from the vision that a director has. The director is
the driving force of the creative storytelling.
When a film is successful enough to be spun off into a
franchise, there is the possibility that different directors come in to share
their own vision within the established world. They could tell the story in a
different way than anyone else who touched the material. There could be a
notable shift in the way the franchise moves forward. Take, for example, the Harry
Potter franchise. After Chris Columbus made his two, very family-friendly
flicks, Alfonso Cuarón came in and showed that the material could get darker.
There could be some serious drama pulled from the stories rather than the fluff
that had come before. It was less about the wonder of a magical world than it
was about the people trying to navigate it. He changed things and the franchise
never looked back.
The Scorpion King franchise was one that went through
many changes in its five-film run. The franchise was spun off from The Mummy
Returns, which featured Dwayne Johnson in his first film role as The Scorpion
King, a secondary villain. The success of that sequel led to Vince McMahon and
WWF Entertainment pushing for a film starring Dwayne Johnson in a reprisal of
his character. The differences were that it would be set in the distant past
during The Scorpion King’s life, and the character would be the hero. The film
was released in 2002, a year after The Mummy Returns.
After the fall of Akkad, the three remaining Akkadians, led
by Mathayus (Dwayne Johnson), were tasked with killing the sorcerer of Memnon
(Steven Brand). They snuck into Memnon’s camp and were captured. Only Mathayus
escaped with his life. He teamed up with Arpid (Grant Heslov), a horse thief,
to return to Memnon’s city for one last attack. They kidnapped the sorcerer,
Cassandra (Kelly Hu), and learned that they would need to get rid of Memnon,
not the sorcerer, if they wanted peace.
Chuck Russell was tapped to direct the film. He had
previously worked on A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, The
Blob, Eraser, and The Mask. He knew his way around action and
studio franchise filmmaking. He created a fun sword-and-sandals movie that
never took itself too seriously. There was a layer of comedy underlying
everything, which captured some of the charm and personality that would propel
Dwayne Johnson into superstardom on the big screen.
What set The Scorpion King apart from the later films
in the franchise was Chuck Russell’s eye for interesting setpieces. It could be
argued that they were as influenced by The Mummy movies that came before
as they were by Chuck Russell’s input, but looking back at the man’s
filmography, it is easy to see that he has always put good visual setpieces
into his films. This one had and underground cave/tunnel ambush with a
sandstorm raging outside, a storming the castle sequence, and an escape that
had Dwayne Johnson catapulting himself through a fenced-in window. The
cave/tunnel scene was probably the most memorable. Mathayus picked off Memnon’s
army one by one in the tunnels before taking the general outside to fight in
the sandstorm.
Chuck Russell’s style has always depended on visual
setpieces like these. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors was
all about taking the kills to new heights, including one that involved Freddy
using someone’s veins to turn them into his own little marionette. The Mask
was all about bringing what was essentially a cartoon character to life. The
wolf howl, the giant hammer, the Cuban Pete song sequence… It was a visual
fiesta. He brought some of that flair to The Scorpion King.
Following the release of The Scorpion King, every
subsequent entry in the franchise would go direct-to-video. The first of these
releases was a prequel called The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior.
Mathayus (Michael Copon) was a young man who had recently finished his training
as a Black Scorpion warrior. When he returned to his hometown after training,
he learned that the man who killed his father with black magic powers was now
king. Rather than serve the man, Mathayus swore vengeance and went on a journey
to find a weapon that could defeat the black magic king.
For the first direct-to-video installment, the producers
found a director who didn’t normally do direct-to-video to step in and take the
helm. Russell Mulcahy was best known for his work in the late 1980s and early
1990s. He directed films like Ricochet, The Real McCoy, Highlander,
and Highlander II: The Quickening. It was his work on Highlander
that really seemed to bleed into The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior.
There was a Ray Harryhausen influence throughout the whole
film. A few creatures appeared that were rendered in the same sort of fashion
as those old Harryhausen films like Clash of the Titans and Jason and
the Arogonauts. The way the creatures moved and interacted with the people
around them felt old school like the effects of those earlier films. Russell
Mulcahy played into that while also using his mythological storytelling teeth
that he sharpened on the Highlander movies.
While the first film was a fairly straight-forward sword-and-sandals
flick, the prequel added in creatures, magic, and a trip to the underworld.
These elements weren’t even mentioned in The Scorpion King. The magic
was a part of The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, but only in so
much as resurrecting people. The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior
featured a fight against the Minotaur in a labyrinth and a trip to the
underworld to find a magical sword. There was a demi-goddess and a man who
turned into a full-on scorpion. Fantasy had crept into the franchise in a big
way, thanks to Russell Mulcahy’s direction.
When it came time to make a third film, Russell Mulcahy was
out. This was when the franchise started hiring directors known for their work
in direct-to-video features. The first one to step up to the plate was Roel
Reiné. He had worked on a few direct-to-video movies prior to The Scorpion
King 3: Battle for Redemption. They included The Marine 2, The
Lost Tribe, and Death Race 2. He would go on to make many more.
In The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption,
Mathayus (Victor Webster) was hired by Horus (Ron Perlman) to stop his brother,
King Talus (Billy Zane), from finding the Book of the Dead. This book would
allow Talus to summon the dead warriors Tsukai (Selina Lo), Zulu Kondo (Kimbo
Slice), and Agromael (Dave Bautista) to fight on his behalf and conquer the
world.
The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption had many
staples of Roel Reiné’s direction, particularly that of his direct-to-video
sequels. Victor Webster was dull and uncharismatic, just like Ted DiBiase Jr.
in The Marine 2. There was a supporting actor who turned in a pretty fun
performance. In this case, it was Billy Zane. In Death Race 2, it was
Danny Trejo. The action was the best part of the movie, just like either of
those two sequels. The Marine 2 had a scene where the hero fought off
two assailants while the camera moved with fluidity around him. The Scorpion
King 3: Battle for Redemption had Mathayus on a war battlefield fighting
off ninjas in a one-shot while the camera moved with fluidity around the
action. Roel Reiné was up to his old tricks.
He wouldn’t be up to his old tricks for too long. When it
came time to make The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power, he was out of
the franchise. Mike Elliott took his place as director. Mathayus (Victor
Webster) was now trying working for King Zakkour (Rutger Hauer). He was sent to
meet with King Yannick (Michael Biehn) to make peace, but that would be
interrupted by a murder committed by Yannick’s son Drazen (Will Kemp). Mathayus
teamed up with Valina (Ellen Hollman) and Sorrell (Barry Bostwick) on a journey
to find a magical crown before Drazen could.
Mike Elliott was another director who frequently worked on
direct-to-video movies. Though The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power was
one of only six movies in his directing credits, he produced many more
direct-to-video films. A good number of them have been sequels. The Death
Race sequels? He produced them. The Casper sequels? He produced
those too. He was also the guy behind the American Pie Presents movies.
If there is a movie that has gotten a direct-to-video sequel in the last
twenty-five years, you can be sure that Mike Elliott was likely involved in
that franchise at one time or another.
The movies that Mike Elliott directed point to one thing
more than others. He likes to take a lighter style with his direction. Beethoven’s
Big Break was a family dog movie. Blue Crush 2 was an inspirational
surfing movie. He will be directing the newest American Pie Presents
movie. All of these are on the lighter side of things, with hints of comedy. The
Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power was no different.
Instead of being the dull, uncharismatic hero that he was in
his first outing, Victor Webster got to show some personality in this one. The
trio of Mathayus, Valina, and Sorrel was entertaining through their comedic
banter. Sorrel was an inventor who had a bunch of wacky scientific ideas that
were put into place in his house. They came into use later during the journey.
Even Drazen, though not as off-the-walls as Billy Zane’s villain in the
previous entry, was revelling in his own ego and lunacy. It was a fun and funny
romp.
The Scorpion King: Book of Souls couldn’t live up to
those heights. Mathayus (Zach McGowan) was back. This time, he began the film
as a blacksmith of a small town. Nebserek (Peter Mensah) was a warlord with a
powerful sword. He wanted to best every top warrior in the land to claim
superiority, so he went after Mathayus. He slaughtered the town and left
Mathayus for dead. Tala (Pearl Thusi) nursed Mathyus back to health and took
him on a journey to find and destroy the Book of Souls so that Nebserek
couldn’t rule the world.
Mike Elliott opted out of directing the final Scorpion
King film. He remained a producer on the film but let Don Michael Paul step
into the director’s chair. He was an actor turned director who had made the
films Half Past Dead and Who’s Your Caddy? before turning to
direct-to-video fare. He directed films that include Tremors 5 and Tremors
6, Jarhead 2 and Jarhead 4, Sniper 5 and Sniper 6,
and Death Race 4: Beyond Anarchy. The Scorpion King: Book of Souls
was another direct-to-video sequel for his resume. It fit nicely next to Death
Race 4: Beyond Anarchy, a sequel that was released the same year.
The thing about these two films was that it seemed as though
Don Michael Paul tried whatever he could to take the fun out of them. Zach
McGowan was not a captivating action hero in either film. He was the worst lead
actor in each of the franchises. The colour was drained out of the films. That
somewhat worked for Death Race 4: Beyond Anarchy, which dealt with
prison and grime and that sort of stuff. It didn’t work as well for The
Scorpion King: Book of Souls, which was set in the desert. It drained what
little life there was in the environment right out of the film. Then there was
the bland villain. Nothing was memorable in either film, which could be what
was memorable.
Through five Scorpion King films, there were five
different directors. They each put their own stamp on the franchise. A fun
sword-and-sandals flick kicked it off. It was followed by a throwback
mythological adventure, a low-budget action movie with a memorable villain, an
adventure comedy, and a completely forgettable final film. Each movie had a
different vibe which was provided by the different director. Their influence
could be seen as the franchise progressed.
The Scorpion King was a movie that was spun-off from
another series, The Mummy. It birthed a franchise of its own that
outlasted The Mummy franchise, and a reboot of The Mummy. Not
many movies do that. How many times are there spin-offs to film franchises? How
many of those spin-offs lead to their own franchise? How many of those
franchises last as long as The Scorpion King? There are very few, if
any. That is an astonishing feat.
Now it’s time for some astonishing notes:
- The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption was the fourth Sunday “Bad” Movie for Roel Reiné, who previously directed Death Race 2 (week 9), Death Race: Inferno (week 9), and The Marine 2 (week 30).
- Don Michael Paul was a returning director with The Scorpion King: Book of Souls after having been featured with Death Race: Beyond Anarchy (week 311).
- Michael Clarke Duncan was in The Scorpion King, which marked his sixth Sunday “Bad” Movies appearance. His other appearances were A Crush on You (week 51), D.E.B.S. (week 111), Delgo (week 148), Air Buddies (week 270), and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (week 280).
- Ron Perlman joined the five-timers’ club this week because he was in The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption. He was previously in The Ice Pirates (week 128), Skin Trade (week 146), In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (week 220), and Pottersville (week 316).
- The other new five-timer this week was Lou Ferrigno, with his appearance in The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power. Before that, he was in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (week 290), Sinbad of the Seven Seas (week 235), Frogtown II (week 334), and The Incredible Hulk Returns (week 335).
- Julie Michaels made her fourth appearance in the Sunday “Bad” Movies with The Scorpion King. She had already shown up in Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (week 85), Batman and Robin (week 138), and Road House (week 200).
- Kelly Hu was in The Scorpion King and was seen in archival footage in The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption. She was also in Jason Takes Manhattan (week 294).
- Woon Young Park returned to the Sunday “Bad” Movies in The Scorpion King after appearing in Tracers (week 133) and Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (week 234).
- Another actor who appeared for the third time in The Scorpion King was Peter Navy Tuiasosopo, who had been in Batman and Robin (week 138) and Street Fighter (week 280).
- Ralf Moeller made his third Sunday “Bad” Movies appearance with The Scorpion King, after being a part of Batman and Robin (week 138) and Far Cry (week 364).
- J.D. Hall was in The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption, returning from Mac and Me (week 125) and Jaws: The Revenge (week 240).
- Ellen Hollman played Valina in The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power. She was also in Surf School (week 42) and Road House 2: Last Call (week 200).
- The final three-timer was M. Emmet Walsh, who appeared in Wild Wild West (week 296) and Snow Dogs (week 322) before popping up in The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power.
- Victor Webster was in The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption and The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power.
- Cowboy Elliott was in The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power and The Scorpion King: Book of Souls.
- Rachelle Roderick made her second Sunday “Bad” Movies appearance this week with The Scorpion King. She was previously in Torque (week 43).
- Branscombe Richmond returned from Aces: Iron Eagle III (week 90) to appear in The Scorpion King.
- The Scorpion King marked the second Sunday “Bad” Movies appearance for Esteban Cueto, who was in Getaway (week 135).
- Bobby Silva was in Catwoman (week 174) and The Scorpion King.
- Jim Maniaci returned to the Sunday “Bad” Movies with The Scorpion King. He had already shown up in Mom and Dad Save the World (week 186).
- The Scorpion King featured Somaya Reece from Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls (week 208).
- Marcus Young was in both The Scorpion King and Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (week 234).
- Dwayne Johnson was The Scorpion King in The Scorpion King. He also appeared as himself in Jem and the Holograms (week 238).
- Did you notice Al Leong in The Scorpion King? He was also in Godzilla (week 282).
- Nils Allen Stewart returned from Cop and a Half (week 340) to make a second Sunday “Bad” Movies appearance in The Scorpion King.
- Finishing off The Scorpion King was Marcio Rosario, who was previously seen in Surviving Christmas (week 367).
- The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior featured three actors from Death Race 2 (week 9), They were Clayton Evertson, Warrick Grier, and Sean Higgs.
- Natalie Becker, Peter Butler, and Jeremy Crutchley were all in Death Race: Inferno (week 9) and The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior.
- Simon Quarterman (Westworld is back in a week!) played a major role in The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior. He also had a role in The Devil Inside (week 13).
- Josiah D. Lee and Temuera Morrison were both in The Marine 2 (week 30) before appearing in The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption.
- Billy Zane was the villain of The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption. He could previously be seen in Going Overboard (week 67).
- The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption featured Krystal Vee, who was in Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (week 280).
- Bruce Blain was the last returning actor in The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption, having previously been in Santa’s Little Helper (week 315).
- Corneliu Ulici returned to the Sunday “Bad” Movies in The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power, after first showing up in The Devil Inside (week 13).
- Joshua Rubin popped up in both Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo (week 20) and The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power.
- The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power was the second Sunday “Bad” Movies appearance of Brandon Hardesty, who was in Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star (week 221).
- George Remes also returned to the Sunday “Bad” Movies in The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power. He was in Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis (week 330) before that.
- Two actors from Death Race 2 (week 9) were in The Scorpion King: Book of Souls. They were Inge Beckmann and Stephanie Schildknecht.
- Finally, Zach McGowan is now a returning Sunday “Bad” Movies actor. He played The Scorpion King in The Scorpion King: Book of Souls and was also the main character in Death Race 4: Beyond Anarchy (week 311).
- Have you seen any of the Scorpion King movies? What did you think? Which directors made the best Scorpion King movies? Should the franchise continue? Tell be about it on Twitter or in the comments.
- If you have any movies that you want to suggest for future Sunday “Bad” Movies weeks, get a hold of me on Twitter or in the comments. I’m always open to movies I might not have thought about yet.
- There is another place to get some Sunday “Bad” Movies action, and that place is Instagram. Check out the account there to see pictures and video clips from the movies.
- After what might be the longest notes section I’ve ever done, I have one last note. The movie coming up next week might sound a little offensive. It probably is offensive. It’s directed by Bill Zebub, so offensiveness seems like the thing. The movie is called Rape is a Circle. I don’t remember why I chose it, but hopefully something good will come in the writing. I’ll see you next week with another post.
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