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Sophie Turner is reportedly in the last stages of negotiations to star as Lara Croft in the hotly-anticipated Tomb Raider series being developed by Fleabag creator, Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
According to Deadline, sources have confirmed that the Game Of Thrones and Joan star was successful in her bid for the titular role, after rumours started swirling that production was in its final round of testing.
The actress was reportedly in the mix alongside Mackenzie Davis, Sex Education’s Emma Mackey and Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody).
The iconic role of Lara Croft was first brought to life by Angelina Jolie, who starred in the first 2001 video game adaptation as well as its 2003 sequel. And while the Tomb Raider universe felt firmly attached to Jolie, a 2018 reboot starring Alicia Vikander was widely well-received, despite MGM losing the rights and with it, Vikander’s opportunity to return for the reboot’s sequel.
Although the details surrounding the new Tomb Raider series are shrouded in secrecy, here’s everything we know so far.
Tomb Raider Series Cast
When the series was greenlit in May 2024, the news was revealed by Head of Amazon & MGM Studios Jen Salke who called the exciting adaptation “epic” and “globe-trotting.”
The new show began development during Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s in-house tenure at Prime Video, after the the writer, actress and producer signed a three year deal worth a reported US$20 million annually. While the contract has technically expired, Waller-Bridge is still attached to the project in every way.
“When we look at a longterm commitment to a creator like Phoebe — we’re so happy now that we retained her because she’s obsessed with and grew up playing Lara Croft/Tomb Raider,” says Salke when reflecting on Amazon’s decision to stick with Waller-Bridge. “So the fact that she’s the creator and bringing this character to life, we think it’s going to be a huge franchise for us.”
Waller-Bridge will write and executive produce the series and is just as thrilled with the decision as Salke.
“If I could tell my teenage self this was happening I think she’d explode. Tomb Raider has been a huge part of my life and I feel incredibly privileged to be bringing it to television with such passionate collaborators,” says Waller-Bridge of the project.
“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.”
What Is Tomb Raider About?
Based on the hugely popular Tomb Raider video game series, the plot of the original film adaptation centres around the universe of archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft.
In the wake of her father’s disappearance and presumed death, Lara is thrown into the world of the Illuminati when she discovers a family secret that could have devastating consequences for the world. Adventure ensues, with Croft travelling to Cambodia to meet her fate and grapple with the impossible decision of bringing back her father – or saving civilisation.
What the series has in store for us isn’t clear but if recent interviews with Waller-Bridge are any indication, then an homage to the roots of the original character could be on the cards.
“God, it literally felt like that teenager in me saying: Do right by her, do right by Lara!” she says in a 2023 interview with Vanity Fair.
“The opportunity to have … a female action character…. Having worked on Bond and having worked as an actor on Indy, I feel like I’ve been building up to this. What if I could take the reins on an action franchise, with everything I’ve learned, with a character I adore, and also just bring back some of that ’90s vibe?”
Where To Watch The New Series
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s adaptation will be streamed on Amazon’s Prime Video, which also retained the rights to the 2018 reboot, starring Alicia Vikander.
A release date is yet to be announced for the latest series, but in the meantime, now seems as good a time as ever to catch up on your Lara Croft lore while we wait for the latest update.
Get ready to stream the Tomb Raider series and catch up on the 2018 version streaming now on Prime Video from $6.58/mth, with a 30-day-free trial.
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