Update: In addition to the Tomb Raider TV series, THR has reported that Amazon is also developing a new Tomb Raider movie. The streaming giant plans on building their own Tomb Raider universe, with the movie, TV series, and video game all interconnected. It’s said that Amazon’s Tomb Raider deal is one of their largest, which is saying something, considering they spent $250 million just for the rights to Lord of the Rings.
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Lara Croft will return, but it won’t be on the big screen. THR has reported that Amazon is developing a Tomb Raider TV series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) attached to pen the project.
Phoebe Waller-Bridger recently renewed her overall deal with Amazon for another three years, with the Tomb Raider TV series being one of several projects she has in development at the streaming service. In addition to writing the series, she will also executive produce alongside Ryan Andolina, Amanda Greenblatt, and Dmitri Johnson. Waller-Bridge is no stranger to action and adventure, having co-written Daniel Craig’s No Time to Die and starring alongside Harrison Ford in the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
We’ve seen several live-action adaptations of the popular videogame series over the years, including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life starring Angelina Jolie and a Tomb Raider reboot with Alicia Vikander. There was supposed to be a sequel to the Tomb Raider reboot with Vikander returning, but it experienced several delays before it was finally shelved altogether. It was initially set to be helmed by Ben Wheatley (Rebecca), but when production was delayed due to COVID-19, Wheatley departed, and Lovecraft Country‘s Misha Green came on board to write and direct. Alicia Vikander later said that the sequel was in limbo. “With the MGM and Amazon buyout, I have no clue,” Vikander said. “Now it’s kind of politics. I think Misha and I have been ready, so it’s kind of in somebody else’s hands, to be honest.” It was expected that another movie would take its place, but it seems Amazon will try the TV series route instead.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge will next be seen in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny as Helena Shaw, Indy’s goddaughter. Director James Mangold has described Waller-Bridge’s character as a “catalyst” for the movie. “She’s a daughter of a friend of Indy’s, who we will also meet in the movie,” Mangold said. “Helena’s gotten herself in a bit of trouble, and brings [that] to Indy’s doorstep. She’s a character who’s a wonderful set of contradictions — charming and brilliant, but also a lot of trouble.” Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will debut in theaters on June 30th.
What do you hope to see in the Tomb Raider TV series, and who should play Lara Croft?