Amazon has greenlit development for a new live-action Tomb Raider series with Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the helm. Waller-Bridge will write and executive produce the Tomb Raider TV series with Amazon MGM and game development studio Crystal Dynamics. The announcement comes hot on the heels of Amazon’s successful Fallout adaptation, which saw over 65 million viewers enjoy Vault Dweller Lucy’s exploration of the wasteland during its first fortnight of streaming.
In a press release from Amazon (via The Verge) Waller-Bridge said “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. 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.”
Variety reports that Amazon MGM Studios chief Jennifer Salke backs Waller-Bridge’s claims while revealing the starring role hasn’t been cast yet as she states “Phoebe has a lifelong love affair with Lara Croft and very soon we’ll start the worldwide search for who will play this iconic role and I just can’t wait”.
Of course, the award-winning writer and actor is no stranger to globe-hopping archeological adventures having appeared alongside Harrison Ford in last year’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny as Indy’s goddaughter and archeologist Helena Shaw.
Uncovering Tomb Raider History
Tomb Raider is just the latest game franchise to receive a live-action adaptation, although the Amazon TV series isn’t the first or even the second time Lara Croft has made a carefully considered leap into live-action.
Oscar-winning actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie first starred as Lara Croft in 2001 and reprised the role in its 2003 sequel ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle Of Life’ before Alicia Vikander took over the role for the 2018 reboot based on Crystal Dynamic’s gritty 2013 reimagining of the series.
Back in the world of gaming, Lara’s first three adventures recently received a modern glow-up in the excellent Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, and those same three titles also feature in Evercade’s first Giga Carts that accompany the newly unveiled EXP-R and VS-R hardware.
I have high hopes that Phoebe Waller-Bridge can steer Tomb Raider into a position that mimics Fallout’s runaway success, or at the very least, delivers a show that’s a loving homage to one of gaming’s most iconic characters.
