Rumour: Dwayne Johnson to return as the Scorpion King for The Mummy 4
A reinterpretation of "The Scorpion King" is also on the cards!
Dwayne Johnson could soon be celebrating his big "The Mummy" comeback! As the well-known insider Daniel Richtman reports, Universal Pictures is planning to bring Johnson back as the Scorpion King for "The Mummy 4". The character was introduced in 2001 in "The Mummy Returns", where he acted as the central antagonist. Johnson's performance left a lasting impression on audiences and laid the foundations for the successful spin-off "The Scorpion King".
What is particularly exciting is that Universal's plans apparently go beyond a mere guest appearance. According to Richtman, the studio is said to be interested in tying Johnson to the franchise for the long term. Although it is still unclear how extensive his role in "The Mummy 4" would be, even a cameo appearance is likely to generate great enthusiasm among fans. At the same time, Universal is also said to be considering a modern reinterpretation of "The Scorpion King" – possibly once again with Dwayne Johnson in the lead role.
While many details about the plot of Part 4 are still being kept under wraps, it is already clear that two of the most important faces from the original trilogy will be returning. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz will reprise their iconic roles as Rick and Evelyn O'Connell. "The Mummy 4" will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known for the last two "Scream" films and "Abigail". A start date has yet to be set.
Parallel to the film with Fraser and Weisz, a reinterpretation by director Lee Cronin is also planned. "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" is scheduled to be released in cinemas on April 17, 2026. You can watch the trailer here!
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: The most famous roles of a Hollywood icon
Dwayne Johnson is one of the biggest and most influential stars in Hollywood today. What began as a spectacular career in professional wrestling developed over two decades into an unprecedented success story in the film business. Johnson managed to evolve from a charismatic action hero to a versatile audience favorite who has left his mark on blockbusters, comedies and family films alike. A look at his most famous roles shows why it's hard to imagine the modern film world without "The Rock".
The Scorpion King: the origins of his film career
Dwayne Johnson celebrated his breakthrough as an actor in 2001 in "The Mummy Returns". In the role of Mathayus, better known as the Scorpion King, he appeared as the film's central villain. Although his character was still heavily computer-animated at the time, Johnson impressed with his physical presence, charisma and natural screen presence. The success led directly to the 2002 spin-off "The Scorpion King", in which Johnson took on a leading role for the first time. This character laid the foundation for his Hollywood career and made him internationally famous.
Luke Hobbs: a face of the "Fast & Furious" series
One of his most iconic roles is undoubtedly Luke Hobbs from the "Fast & Furious" franchise. Johnson joined the series in 2011 with "Fast Five" and brought a breath of fresh air to the film series, which had previously focused on street racing. As the uncompromising, muscle-bound DSS agent, Hobbs quickly became one of the franchise's most popular characters. Johnson's chemistry with Vin Diesel and later especially with Jason Statham ultimately led to the successful spin-off "Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw" (2019). The role finally made him a global action superstar.
Hercules: the modern myth
In 2014, Johnson took on the title role in "Hercules", a reinterpretation of the Greek mythical figure. Instead of a purely supernatural hero, the film portrayed Hercules as a war-tested mercenary whose legend is greater than reality. Johnson's physical appearance suited the role perfectly, but his ability to combine strength with emotional depth was also particularly evident here. The film underlined his status as a modern action hero with epic aspirations.
Maui: the voice of a Disney hero
With "Moana" (2016), Dwayne Johnson showed a whole new side. As the voice of the demigod Maui, he brought humor, heart and musical talent. The song "You're Welcome" in particular became a worldwide hit and made Johnson extremely popular with a younger audience. Maui remains one of his most popular roles to this day, as it shows that Johnson can do far more than just action – he is also a charismatic entertainer.
Jumanji: The comedic audience favorite
Johnson reached another career highlight with "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" (2017) and its sequel "Jumanji: The Next Level" (2019). In the role of video game avatar Dr. Smolder Bravestone, he combined action with self-irony and perfect comedy timing. His comedic talent was particularly evident in his play with different personalities "trapped" in his body. The Jumanji films are among his greatest commercial successes.
Black Adam: the antihero from the DC universe
In 2022, Johnson fulfilled a long-standing dream with "Black Adam". For many years, he had campaigned to bring the DC comic character to the big screen. As the powerful antihero, he presented a darker, more serious version of his typical roles. Even though the film failed to permanently realign the DC universe, Johnson's performance is considered one of the strongest aspects of the movie. Black Adam showed that he can also convincingly embody morally ambivalent characters.
Jungle Cruise: Adventure in classic style
In "Jungle Cruise" (2021), Johnson returned to the classic adventure film. As Captain Frank Wolff, he combined humor, action and charm, deliberately recalling characters such as Indiana Jones or Rick O'Connell from "The Mummy". The film once again demonstrated Johnson's ability to carry big studio films and deliver family entertainment at the same time.
Conclusion: More than just muscles
Dwayne Johnson's most famous roles show a remarkable evolution: from action villain to unstoppable hero to self-deprecating entertainer and family star. His success is based not only on physical strength, but also on charisma, discipline and a keen sense of his audience. Whether as the Scorpion King, Luke Hobbs, Maui or Black Adam – Johnson has reinvented himself at every stage of his career and is now one of the most versatile and successful stars in film history.
