Moviefone Editorial

Tag: tomb raider

Best Movies Adapted from Video Games Ranked

(L to R) Luigi (Charlie Day), Mario (Chris Pratt), Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

Video game movies have come a long way over the years!

Early adaptations like 1993’s ‘Super Mario Bros.‘ and 1994’s ‘Street Fighter‘ struggled to capture what made their source material so popular, but Hollywood has finally started to crack the code.
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But in recent years, studios have found real success with films like ‘Uncharted‘ and ‘A Minecraft Movie‘, as well as the ‘Resident Evil‘, ‘Sonic the Hedgehog‘, and ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s‘ franchises.

Now, the long-awaited sequel to 2023’s blockbuster smash ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘, entitled ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘, is scheduled for release in theaters on April 1st and promises to be another monster hit.

In honor of the new sequel’s release, Moviefone is counting down the 20 best movies adapted from video games of all time, including ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’.

Let’s begin!

Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’

20. ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time‘ (2010)

Jake Gyllenhaal stars in ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

A rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess (Gemma Arterton) and together, they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time – gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.
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19. ‘Assassin’s Creed‘ (2016)

Through a technology that unlocks the genetic memories of his ancestor in 15th century Spain, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) discovers he is a descendant of an ancient line of Assassins and amasses lethal skills to take on the oppressive Templar Order.
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18. ‘Need for Speed‘ (2014)

The film revolves around a local street-racer (Aaron Paul) who partners with a rich and arrogant business associate (Dominic Cooper), only to find himself framed by his colleague and sent to prison. After he gets out, he joins a New York-to-Los Angeles race to get revenge. But when the ex-partner learns of the scheme, he puts a massive bounty on the racer’s head, forcing him to run a cross-country gauntlet of illegal racers in all manner of supercharged vehicles.
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17. ‘Warcraft‘ (2016)

The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, two heroes are set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their family, their people, and their home.
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16. ‘Until Dawn‘ (2025)

One year after her sister Melanie (Maia Mitchell) mysteriously disappeared, Clover (Ella Rubin) and her friends head into the remote valley where she vanished in search of answers. Exploring an abandoned visitor center, they find themselves stalked by a masked killer and horrifically murdered one by one…only to wake up and find themselves back at the beginning of the same evening.
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15. ‘Rampage‘ (2018)

Dwayne Johnson in ‘Rampage’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Primatologist Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson) shares an unshakable bond with George, the extraordinarily intelligent, silverback gorilla who has been in his care since birth. But a rogue genetic experiment gone awry mutates this gentle ape into a raging creature of enormous size. To make matters worse, it’s soon discovered there are other similarly altered animals. As these newly created alpha predators tear across North America, destroying everything in their path, Okoye teams with a discredited genetic engineer (Naomie Harris) to secure an antidote, fighting his way through an ever-changing battlefield, not only to halt a global catastrophe but to save the fearsome creature that was once his friend.
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14. ‘Tomb Raider‘ (2018)

Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander), the fiercely independent daughter of a missing adventurer (Dominic West), must push herself beyond her limits when she finds herself on the island where her father disappeared.
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13. ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife‘ (2010)

In a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice (Milla Jovovich) continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend (Ali Larter). A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead takes them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of Undead – and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap.
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12. ‘Hitman‘ (2007)

A genetically engineered assassin with deadly aim, known only as “Agent 47” (Timothy Olyphant) eliminates strategic targets for a top-secret organization. But when he’s double-crossed, the hunter becomes the prey as 47 finds himself in a life-or-death game of international intrigue.
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11. ‘Iron Lung‘ (2026)

The stars are gone. The planets have disappeared. Only individuals aboard space stations or starships were left to give the end a name — The Quiet Rapture. After decades of decay and crumbling infrastructure, the Consolidation of Iron has made a discovery on a barren moon designated AT-5. An ocean of blood. Hoping to discover desperately needed resources they immediately launch an expedition. A submarine is crafted and a convict is welded inside. Due to the pressure and depth of the ocean the forward viewport has been encased in metal. If successful, they will earn their freedom. If not, another will follow. This will be the 13th expedition.
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10. ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘ (2026)

(L to R) Yoshi (Donald Glover), Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

Having thwarted Bowser’s (Jack Black) previous plot to marry Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) now face a fresh threat in Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), who is determined to liberate his father from captivity and restore the family legacy. Alongside companions new and old, the brothers travel across the stars to stop the young heir’s crusade.
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9. ‘Uncharted‘ (2022)

Street-smart thief Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to recover a fortune lost by Ferdinand Magellan 500 years ago. What starts as a heist job for the duo becomes a globe-trotting, white-knuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs. If Nate and Sully can decipher the clues and solve one of the world’s oldest mysteries, they stand to find $5 billion in treasure and perhaps even Nate’s long-lost brother…but only if they can learn to work together.
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8. ‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu‘ (2019)

In a world where people collect pocket-size monsters (Pokémon) to do battle, a boy (Justice Smith) comes across an intelligent monster (Ryan Reynolds) who seeks to be a detective.
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7. ‘A Minecraft Movie‘ (2025)

Four misfits (Sebastian Eugene Hansen, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Jason Momoa) find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black).
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6. ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s‘ (2023)

Recently fired and desperate for work, a troubled young man named Mike (Josh Hutcherson) agrees to take a position as a night security guard at an abandoned theme restaurant: Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. But he soon discovers that nothing at Freddy’s is what it seems.
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5. ‘Sonic the Hedgehog‘ (2020)

Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Powered with incredible speed, Sonic The Hedgehog (Ben Schwartz) embraces his new home on Earth. That is, until Sonic sparks the attention of super-uncool evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Now it’s super-villain vs. super-sonic in an all-out race across the globe to stop Robotnik from using Sonic’s unique power for world domination.
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4. ‘Mortal Kombat‘ (2021)

MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan), accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage or why Outworld’s Emperor Shang Tsung (Chin Han) has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim), an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family’s safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee) at the direction of Jax (Mehcad Brooks), a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden (Tadanabu Asano), an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark. Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), Kung Lao (Max Huang) and rogue mercenary Kano (Josh Lawson), as he prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana, ”the immense power from within his soul”, in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?
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3. ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider‘ (2001)

Orphaned heiress, English aristocrat and intrepid archaeologist, Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie), embarks on a dangerous quest to retrieve the two halves of an ancient artifact which controls time before it falls into the wrong hands. As an extremely rare planetary alignment is about to occur for the first time in 5,000 years, the fearless tomb raider will have to team up with rival adventurers and sworn enemies to collect the pieces, while time is running out. But, in the end, who can harness the archaic talisman’s unlimited power?
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2. ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘ (2023)

While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers—and brothers—Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world. But when the brothers are separated, Mario embarks on an epic quest to find Luigi.
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1. ‘Resident Evil‘ (2002)

Milla Jovovich in ‘Resident Evil’. Photo: Screen Gems.

When a virus leaks from a top-secret facility, turning all resident researchers into ravenous zombies and their lab animals into mutated hounds from hell, the government sends in an elite military task force to contain the outbreak.
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April 25, 2026
First Look at Sophie Turner in the ‘Tomb Raider’ TV Series
Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in ‘Tomb Raider’. Credit: Jay Maidment/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Preview:
- A first look at Sophie Turner in costume for the ‘Tomb Raider TV series is online.
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge is co-showrunner.
- Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs and Bill Paterson are also in the cast.
Most of the news so far about the new Prime Video ‘Tomb Raider’ TV series has been of the casting variety, with the likes of Sophie Turner, Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs.

But as the cameras finally start to roll on the show, we’re getting our first look at Turner in costume as main character Lara Croft.
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‘Fleabag’ creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge is running the show alongside ‘Wayward Pines’ Chad Hodge, while ‘Shōgun’s Jonathan Van Tulleken is an executive producer and lead director.

Related Article: Sigourney Weaver in Talks to Join Sophie Turner in the ‘Tomb Raider’ Series

What’s the history of ‘Tomb Raider’?

(Left) Sophie Turner in ‘Another Me.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox. (Right) Lara Croft from the ‘Tomb Raider’ video game.

Launched in 1996 on Sony’s PlayStation console, the ‘Tomb Raider’ series has gone on to be a huge selling title across various platforms, earning more than $95 million by last year and spawning a massive amount of merchandising.

The series gives the player control of fictional British archaeologist Lara Croft, who travels around the world searching for lost artefacts and infiltrating dangerous tombs and ruins.

It has been adapted a few times for movies––2001’s ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ and 2003’s ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life’, both of which starred Angelina Jolie as the title character, and 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider’, which rebooted the series, with Roar Uthaug in the director’s chair and Alicia Vikander as Croft.

That most recent title came from MGM and Warner Bros., but though there had been talk of a sequel, with first ‘Meg 2: The Trench‘s Ben Wheatley and then ‘Lovecraft Country’s Misha Green attached to make it, development stalled.

Amazon, of course, bought MGM, but the rights to the ‘Tomb Raider’ games had already lapsed from the studio because of the lack of forward movement on the new movie.

With the rights firmly in Amazon’s grip, the plans have now shifted to building out an interconnected Lara Croft universe boasting a new game release and what will probably be another movie reboot but is currently focused on a TV series (unrelated to the one already on Netflix).

Who is who in the new ‘Tomb Raider’ TV series?

Jason Isaacs in ‘Words of War’. Photo: Decal.

Martin Bobb-Semple is Zip, Lara Croft’s long-standing tech support and friend, while Isaacs is Atlas DeMornay, Laura’s uncle. Bill Paterson is playing Winston, the longstanding Croft family butler.

Weaver, meanwhile, will be Evelyn Wallis, a mysterious, high-flying woman who is keen to exploit Lara’s talents and Paterson Joseph is Thomas Warner, a senior government official brought in to clean up an almighty mess.

The rest of the cast includes Jack Bannon, John Heffernan, Celia Imrie, Sasha Luss, Juliette Motamed and August Wittgenstein.

When will the ‘Tomb Raider’ series hit screens?

With production just now kicking off, there’s a chance the show could be ready for late this year, but 2027 seems more likely.

Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in ‘Tomb Raider’. Credit: Jay Maidment/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Other Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Tomb Raider’ Franchise:
- ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider‘ (2001)
- ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life‘ (2003)
- ‘Tomb Raider‘ (2018)
- ‘Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft‘ (2024)
Buy ‘Tomb Raider’ Movies On Amazon
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January 16, 2026
Sigourney Weaver in Talks for the ‘Tomb Raider’ TV Series
(Left) Sigourney Weaver stars in ‘Call Jane.’ (Right) Sophie Turner stars in ‘Trust’.

Preview:
- Sigourney Weaver is in talks to join the ‘Tomb Raider TV series.
- Sophie Turner is playing Lara Croft.
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge is co-showrunner.
While she’ll be back on big screens next week with ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ Sigourney Weaver also has her eyes on TV –– and another big, popular property to boot.

Deadline reports that Weaver is now in talks to join ‘Game of Thrones’ veteran Sophie Turner in Prime Video’s developing ‘Tomb Raider’ series.
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‘Fleabag’ creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge is running the show alongside ‘Wayward Pines’ Chad Hodge, while ‘Shōgun’s Jonathan Van Tulleken is an executive producer and lead director.

Related Article: ‘Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner is Officially Lara Croft for Prime Video’s ‘Tomb Raider’ Series

What’s the history of ‘Tomb Raider’?

(Left) Sophie Turner in ‘Another Me.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox. (Right) Lara Croft from the ‘Tomb Raider’ video game.

Launched in 1996 on Sony’s PlayStation console, the ‘Tomb Raider’ series has gone on to be a huge selling title across various platforms, earning more than $95 million by last year and spawning a massive amount of merchandising.

The series gives the player control of fictional British archaeologist Lara Croft, who travels around the world searching for lost artefacts and infiltrating dangerous tombs and ruins.

It has been adapted a few times for movies––2001’s ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ and 2003’s ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life’, both of which starred Angelina Jolie as the title character, and 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider’, which rebooted the series, with Roar Uthaug in the director’s chair and Alicia Vikander as Croft.

That most recent title came from MGM and Warner Bros., but though there had been talk of a sequel, with first ‘Meg 2: The Trench‘s Ben Wheatley and then ‘Lovecraft Country’s Misha Green attached to make it, development stalled.

Amazon, of course, bought MGM, but the rights to the ‘Tomb Raider’ games had already lapsed from the studio because of the lack of forward movement on the new movie.

With the rights firmly in Amazon’s grip, the plans have now shifted to building out an interconnected Lara Croft universe boasting a new game release and what will probably be another movie reboot but is currently focused on a TV series (unrelated to the one already on Netflix).

What has Phoebe Waller-Bridge said about ‘Tomb Raider’?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge from ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

Here’s what ‘Raider’ fan Waller-Bridge had to say:

“Lara Croft means a lot to me, as she does to many, and I can’t wait to go on this adventure. Bats ‘n all.”

When will the ‘Tomb Raider’ series hit screens?

With the show still in the development phase and casting not yet complete, we wouldn’t expect this one on screens much before late next year or at some point in 2027.

Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Other Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Tomb Raider’ Franchise:
- ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider‘ (2001)
- ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life‘ (2003)
- ‘Tomb Raider‘ (2018)
- ‘Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft‘ (2024)
Buy ‘Tomb Raider’ Movies On Amazon
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December 11, 2025
UPDATE: Sophie Turner Signs on for ‘Tomb Raider’ TV Series
(Left) Sophie Turner in ‘Another Me.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox. (Right) Lara Croft from the ‘Tomb Raider’ video game.

Preview:
- Amazon MGM has confirmed that Turner is officially aboard.
- Chad Hodge is joining Phoebe Waller-Bridge to run the show.
- The show will run on Prime Video.
We’ve known for nearly two years now that Amazon has plans for treasure hunting character Lara Croft and the series of ‘Tomb Raider’ games in which she appears.
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With ‘Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge developing a new TV take on Lara for Prime Video, word broke last month that ‘Game of Thrones’ veteran Sophie Turner and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’s Lucy Boynton had made it to the final round of testing to play Lara.

Now, from the sounds of it, Waller-Bridge and Amazon have made their choice, as Deadline reports that Turner, who played Sansa Stark in the huge HBO fantasy series, will be strapping on a utility belt and shorts as Croft.

Related Article: Amazon Developing ‘Tomb Raider’ Movies, Games and a Phoebe Waller-Bridge TV Series

What’s the history of ‘Tomb Raider’?

Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft in ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Launched in 1996 on Sony’s PlayStation console, the ‘Tomb Raider’ series has gone on to be a huge selling title across various platforms, earning more than $95 million by last year and spawning a massive amount of merchandising.

The series gives the player control of fictional British archaeologist Lara Croft, who travels around the world searching for lost artefacts and infiltrating dangerous tombs and ruins.

It has been adapted a few times for movies––2001’s ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ and 2003’s ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life’, both of which starred Angelina Jolie as the title character, and 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider’, which rebooted the series, with Roar Uthaug in the director’s chair and Alicia Vikander as Croft.

That most recent title came from MGM and Warner Bros., but though there had been talk of a sequel, with first ‘Meg 2: The Trench‘s Ben Wheatley and then ‘Lovecraft Country’s Misha Green attached to make it, development stalled.

Amazon, of course, bought MGM last year, but the rights to the ‘Tomb Raider’ games had already lapsed from the studio because of the lack of forward movement on the new movie.

With the rights in Amazon’s grip, the plans have now shifted to building out an interconnected Lara Croft universe boasting a new game release and what will probably be another movie reboot but is currently focused on a TV series (unrelated to the one already on Netflix).

What has Phoebe Waller-Bridge said about ‘Tomb Raider’?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge from ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

While Amazon MGM Studios Head Jennifer Salke has described the company’s plans for the show and other ventures as “epic” and “globe-trotting,” here’s what ‘Raider’ fan Waller-Bridge had to say:

“Lara Croft means a lot to me, as she does to many, and I can’t wait to go on this adventure. Bats ‘n all.”

When will the ‘Tomb Raider’ series hit screens?

With the show still at the casting stage (and Amazon as yet unwilling to officially confirm Turner, pointing to a deal that hasn’t closed right now), it’s far too early to speculate when it might be on Prime Video’s servers.

But we’ll go ahead anyway: 2026 at the earliest!

Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Other Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Tomb Raider’ Franchise:
- ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider‘ (2001)
- ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life‘ (2003)
- ‘Tomb Raider‘ (2018)
- ‘Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft‘ (2024)
Buy ‘Tomb Raider’ Movies On Amazon
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September 4, 2025
Amazon Plans ‘Tomb Raider’ Universe

Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider.’

Having seen success––at least in terms of buzz––with the likes of ‘The Rings of Power’ and ‘The Boys’, Amazon is breaking open its (admittedly huge) piggy bank for a new potential franchise.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the company has struck a deal with Dmitri M. Johnson’s dj2 Entertainment for the rights to the ‘Tomb Raider’ game series.

Launched in 1996 on Sony’s PlayStation console, the ‘Tomb Raider’ series has gone on to be a huge selling title across various platforms, earning more than $95 million by last year and spawning a massive amount of merchandising.

The series gives the player control of fictional British archaeologist Lara Croft, who travels around the world searching for lost artifacts and infiltrating dangerous tombs and ruins.

Lara Croft from the ‘Tomb Raider’ video game.

It has been adapted a few times for movies––2001’s ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ and 2003’s ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life’, both of which starred Angelina Jolie as the title character, and 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider’, which rebooted the series, with Roar Uthaug in the director’s chair and Alicia Vikander as Croft.

That most recent title came from MGM and Warner Bros., but there has been talk of a sequel, with first ‘Meg 2: The Trench’s Ben Wheatley and then ‘Lovecraft Country’s Misha Green attached to make it, development stalled.

Amazon, of course, bought MGM last year, but the rights to the ‘Tomb Raider’ games had already lapsed from the studio because of the lack of forward movement on the new movie.

With the rights in Amazon’s grip, the plans have now shifted to building out an interconnected Lara Croft universe boasting a new game release and what will probably be another movie reboot.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge on BBC Studios’ ‘Fleabag.’

Perhaps most intriguingly, the new universe also features a potential Prime Video TV series from ‘Fleabag’ creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who recently renewed her deal with Amazon. While we might not have expected Waller-Bridge to be all in on a ‘Tomb Raider’ title, she’s apparently a fan of the games. and has had experience with action on the likes of ‘Killing Eve’ and recent Bond outing ‘No Time to Die’ (for which she provided script polishes).

No details have yet emerged on what Waller-Bridge’s show might look like (she doesn’t plan to appear, just write and produce) or how it might connect to any potential movie (or movies, you know Amazon will want to get their money’s worth). But it’s certainly interesting to ponder the idea of a Lara Croft with the writer’s trademark snappy dialogue.

Yet Amazon is not the only company with an interest in Croft––this will no doubt be disheartening for Netflix, which already has a ‘Tomb Raider’ anime series in the works following a two-series order. Or perhaps it’ll drive up interest in all things Lara?

Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider.’
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January 30, 2023
‘Tomb Raider’ Movie Rights up for Grabs

Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider.’

Looks like Lara Croft will be off on another different adventure.

According to a report in The Wrap, MGM has lost the rights to make future ‘Tomb Raider’ movies after failing to generate a sequel to 2018’s Alicia Vikander-starring film by a strict deadline.

The company had had until May of this year to flash the greenlight on a new movie, but since that time has come and gone, a bidding war is now likely as other studios look to put in bids to nab the chance to bring the character to screens.

Created by game company Core Design in 1996, the title allows players to control fictional British archaeologist Lara Croft, who travels around the world searching for lost artefacts and infiltrating dangerous tombs and ruins.

‘Tomb Raider’ (and, later, ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’) became a giant hit and pop cultural sensation, with multiple games across various platforms and any number of spin-offs. Square Enix currently controls the rights.

Lara Croft from the ‘Tomb Raider’ video game.

The game was famously first brought to theaters via ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ in 2001 and its 2003 sequel ‘Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life’, both of which starred Angelina Jolie as the titular adventurer.

While they were both solidly successful, the movie franchise lingered in limbo for years until MGM partnered up with GK Films to nab the rights in 2013 and began to plot its own version.

That came to fruition in 2018 with the more simply titled ‘Tomb Raider’ directed by Roar Uthaug and starring Vikander as Croft. The movie made $274.6 million worldwide, and while it wasn’t a giant hit, it was enough to spark sequel talk.

Yet while the next movie cycled through a couple of directors (British filmmaker Ben Wheatley, who has created the likes of ‘Free Fire’ and ‘Kill List’ was attached for a while, before being replaced by ‘Lovecraft Country’s Misha Green), nothing moved forward at any real speed.

The latest development is perhaps not too shocking, since Vikander herself admitted that a recent corporate move hadn’t helped matters. “With the MGM and Amazon buyout, I have no clue. Now it’s kind of politics,” Vikander told ‘Entertainment Weekly a few days ago. “I think Misha and I have been ready, so it’s kind of in somebody else’s hands, to be honest.”

MGM didn’t comment at the time, but now we know why. And it looks like Vikander will also have to hand the character off to someone else, as she’s no longer attached to the movies.

We could theoretically see Paramount looking to grab the rights back and return to the world of Croft since it produced the 2000s movies. But it’s highly unlikely that Jolie would want to squeeze back into the famous shorts and tank top. Time for another new Croft…

Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider.’
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July 29, 2022
Director, Release Date Set for ‘Tomb Raider’ Sequel

MGM

Last year’s “Tomb Raider” reboot, starring Alicia Vikander as iconic videogame hero Lara Croft, was incredibly forgettable and only did so-so business ($275 million worldwide), but it was enough of a hit to warrant a sequel, apparently. And now MGM has slated a release date and hired a creative team for the follow-up.

The as-yet-untitled “Tomb Raider” sequel has a release date of March 19, 2021, via Deadline. (The first film opened on March 16, 2018, so they clearly stuck with what they know.) But more fascinating than the release date is the creative team MGM has chosen to shepherd the project – it will be directed by Ben Wheatley, the oddball British auteur behind “Kill List,” “High Rise” and “Free Fire” (amongst many others), and written by his partner Amy Jump, who has written many of his projects.

Quite frankly, this decision is so wonderfully out-of-left-field that it makes the sequel one of our most anticipated movies of the forseeable future. Wheatley next has a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rebecca” for Netflix. Vikander is expected to return.

September 4, 2019
‘Tomb Raider’ Sequel Lands ‘Free Fire’ Writer

Warner Bros.

The second “Tomb Raider” film with Alicia Vikander is on its way, with a new writer.

Amy Jump, whose scripts include “Free Fire” and “Kill List,” will write the sequel to the 2018 adventure.

The first film was written by Geneva Robertson-Dworet, who also wrote “Captain Marvel,” and Alastair Siddons.

Jump often works with director Ben Wheatley: They collaborated on “Free Fire,” “High-Rise,” “Kill List,” “Sightseers” and “A Field in England.”

They’re reteaming for “Freak Shift,” which will star Alicia Vikander and Armie Hammer, who are part of a band of misfits hunt down and kill underground, nocturnal monsters. Hammer co-starred in “Free Fire.”

[Via THR]

April 12, 2019
Alicia Vikander Says ‘There’s Not Enough Women’ in ‘Tomb Raider’ Reboot

The upcoming “Tomb Raider” reboot is one of the few action franchises headlined by a female hero, and yet, according to titular star Alicia Vikander, the film is still lacking in its representation of women on the big screen.

The Oscar-winning actress shared her thoughts on the subject in a new interview with the BBC’s “The One Show” (via Vanity Fair). When the host told Vikander that she was disappointed in how few female characters were in the movie, the actress said she agreed with that assessment.

“I was wondering, I was on this island like, ‘There’s not enough women, where are they?’” Vikander said of shooting “Tomb Raider.” “I was running around looking for them.”

The flick does co-star Kristin Scott Thomas (“The English Patient,” “The Horse Whisperer,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral”), who Vikander praised as an “extraordinary actress.” But Thomas’s part is fairly small, and the rest of the main ensemble is filled out by male actors, including Dominic West (appearing in flashbacks and video messages as Lara’s missing father), Walton Goggins (playing the villain, Mathias Vogel), and Daniel Wu (playing sidekick Lu Ren, one of the few diverse characters in the film).

As Frances McDormand noted in her fiery, fantastic Oscars acceptance speech this past weekend, women need to have their voices heard in film more than ever. Here’s hoping Vikander can help the “Tomb Raider” team expand its horizons in future installments.

[via: The One Show, h/t Vanity Fair]

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