Resident Evil: Extinction’s Russell Mulcahy has started filming on The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian.

The most recent entry in the Mummy saga, which began with Stephen Sommers’ 1999 film, will be released straight to DVD next year as part of Universal’s DVD Originals product line. A prequel to the original Scorpion King movie, which starred The Rock as the legendary warrior, Rise of the Akkadian follows Mathayus’ battles to become the Scorpion King.

Described by Universal Studios as “an entertaining blend of myth, magic and muscle”, Rise of the Akkadian is being filmed entirely in South Africa. Beyond the Break’s Michael Copon steps into The Rock’s sandals as Mathayus, and current six-time Ultimate Fighting Championship king Randy Couture as the villainous Sargon.

Meanwhile, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, the third film in the series to star Brendan Fraser as Rick O’Connell, is currently shooting in China and will open on August 1, 2008.