A new Tomb Raider film is in development at Amazon along with the new television series reboot they announced yesterday. The iconic Tomb Raider video game franchise, which follows the exploits of intrepid archeologist and explorer Lara Croft, began in 1996 and has expanded to over a dozen titles. The games have previously been adapted to film twice, first with Angelina Jolie in 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and its 2003 sequel Lara Croft: Tomb Raider β The Cradle of Life and then with Alicia Vikander in 2018’s Tomb Raider.
Per THR, Amazon is developing a new Tomb Raider reboot film that will tie into their previously announced Tomb Raider series from writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge of Fleabag, who will be playing a Lara Croft-syle character herself in the upcoming film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. These connected projects are part of a new overall deal with dj2 Entertainment, the company founded by Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 producer Dmitri M. Johnson. Waller-Bridge will not be involved in the writing of the film, and likely won’t be appearing on camera as she is reportedly not starring as Lara Croft.
Is the Tomb Raider Franchise Ready for a Connected Universe?
Amazon is trying to curate their own connected Marvel-inspired universe with this new Tomb Raider film. In addition to the feature and the series, as well as any follow-up seasons or sequels they may spawn, the company is also planning on releasing a tie-in video game. So far they are only developing one game, but there is a potential for more sequels to follow should it become successful. It is currently unknown if the video game Lara Croft will be designed to look like the actor they eventually cast in the role.
However, while many companies desire their own expanded universes like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe, they don’t always work out, as Universal learned with their aborted Dark Universe. Although the Tomb Raider franchise has its fair share of spinoffs on the video game side, the series is primarily based around Lara Croft rather than a deep bench of other iconic characters. If just one actor is playing the role, there will be a limit to the number of new films and series they will be able to perform in, and that the public will be able to maintain interest in.
Is the Third Time the Charm for the Tomb Raider Franchise?
Amazon certainly seems confident in its ability to usher Lara Croft into a new era with its Tomb Raider universe. Considering the way they have breathed new life into an established property with their hit Tolkien series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, they may just have the ability to keep a live-action branch of the franchise going beyond two entries. This would be the first time that the non-game side of the series shows any signs of longevity, which would be huge for the iconic Lara Croft.
Source: THR