USA: WORLD PREMIERE OF FILM 'THE SCORPION KING' STARRING FORMER WWF CHAMPION DWAYNE JOHNSON

Record ID: 634494

  • Title: USA: WORLD PREMIERE OF FILM 'THE SCORPION KING' STARRING FORMER WWF CHAMPION DWAYNE JOHNSON
  • Date: 5th April 2002
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (APRIL 6, 2002) (REUTERS) SOUNDBITE (English) KELLY HU (pronounced WHO) SAYING: "I thought it would be a huge battle of testosterone, but they were all so kind and such gentleman and we were enjoying ourselves so much on the set that I think it really shows through in the film."
  • Embargoed: 20th April 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES AND VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA6YE03SJ38L9QSU1K9DL2GQON3
  • Story Text: The Rock is taking his talents from the wrestling ring to the big screen in "The Scorpion King," which had its world premiere Wednesday (April 17) night in Los Angeles. The former World Wrestling Foundation (WWF) champion stars in the action-adventure, as a warrior who battles the evil leader of an enslaved nation.
    Dwayne Johnson better known as the Worldwide Wrestling Federation hero, "The Rock" tests his international box office appeal in the action adventure, "The Scorpion King."
    Continuing his role from last year's blockbuster "The Mummy Returns," this time around "The Scorpion King" battles to save an enslaved race.
    "I thought 'Wow! What a fantastic opportunity!' One of my concerns was I want to deliver for this audience for the mummy audience that as been so loyal so passionate to the first two mummy movies," The Rock told Reuters.
    Academy Award nominee Michael Clarke Duncan took a break from his dramatic roles such as "The Green Mile" and "Planet of the Apes for an opportunity to work with The Rock.
    "He made it easy cause I wasn't used to doing anything on this level, but he made mad the transition from coming and not knowing anything about stunt work to knowing a little bit more than I did when we started," said Duncan.
    Co-star Kelly Hu, who plays the sorcerer Cassandra felt like very much at home during filming.
    "They were all so kind and such gentleman and we were enjoying ourselves so much on the set that I think it really shows through in the film," said Hu.
    For Dwayne Johnson, the movie allows him the chance to explore a character other than "The Rock."
    "It's not only an action movie you know there's a little bit of drama there's a lot of love, there's a lot of comedy involved so it was a great opportunity for me to grow as an actor," said Johnson.
    The cast of "The Scorpion King" celebrated the film's world premiere at the Universal Amphitheater. Hundreds of fanatical WWF fans gathered to cheer on 'The Rock' as he walked the red carpet. Also joining the wrestling superstar was the king of action himself Arnold Schwarzenegger and star of "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns", Brendan Fraser.
    It is the first time "The Rock" has headlined a film and he hopes there is plenty more to come. The film is yet to be released and already there is buzz about a sequel and possibly a Scorpion King franchise. The film's cast were denying knowledge of a possible sequel, but all were blown away by the number of fans who turned out to cheer on their WWF hero.
    "The Scorpion King" hits U.S. theaters on April 19th.
    --
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