MOVIE NEWS – Despite swirling rumors, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Tomb Raider reboot is alive and well at Amazon MGM Studios. The live-action series, first announced in early 2023, will have the Fleabag creator at the helm as writer and executive producer. Additionally, the series is set to tie into a brand-new movie that will once again reboot the franchise after the lackluster performance of the 2018 film, starring Alicia Vikander.

In an interview with Variety, Amazon MGM Studios’ head Jennifer Salke finally provided fans with an eagerly awaited update on the project. “Phoebe is deep into the process, collaborating closely with [Tomb Raider general manager] Dallas Dickinson and the game’s production team,” Salke shared. After the initial announcement, news about the project had gone silent, leading many fans to speculate that both the series and the new movie had been scrapped—especially given the recent release of the animated Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft series on Netflix.

During the discussion, Salke explained the reason for the project’s slow progress. Amazon MGM Studios is fully committed to Waller-Bridge, emphasizing her personal passion for the Tomb Raider franchise. The studio is willing to delay the project as Waller-Bridge juggles her acting, writing, and directing projects (including her role in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny). Salke further elaborated:

“When we look at long-term investments in a creator like Phoebe, we’re thrilled to have her on board. She’s deeply connected to Lara Croft, having grown up playing Tomb Raider, and we’re confident that her vision will turn this into a huge franchise for us.”

When Will Production Begin on Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Tomb Raider Series?

Although fans are excited to hear that the project is still moving forward, Salke didn’t provide any specific production timeline. The only major update came back in July when Vernon Sanders, head of Amazon MGM Studios’ television division, suggested that filming might start as early as 2025. Sanders mentioned that Waller-Bridge would have more time to dedicate to the Tomb Raider series after wrapping up her work on Indiana Jones.

Whether or not Sanders’ timeline holds remains to be seen. As of now, there’s no concrete information on how far along Waller-Bridge is in the writing process. Regardless, fans are optimistic that this new project will succeed where previous adaptations struggled. While Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider films have developed a cult following, they were far from critically acclaimed. Similarly, Alicia Vikander’s 2018 reboot received mixed reviews. The recent animated series has fared slightly better, with a 62% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but it’s still not the blockbuster hit fans believe the Tomb Raider franchise deserves. Here’s hoping Waller-Bridge’s vision delivers the success the series has been waiting for.

Source: MovieWeb