Tomb Raider fans don't have to wait long to have a new Lara Croft adventure on their screens. Not only is Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics hinting at the release of a new game in the near future, but there are rumors that the iconic franchise is being adapted into a television show. While very few details are known about the show, it has been alleged that Fleabag and Killing Eve writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge will be developing and writing the Tomb Raider adaptation. Given that Waller-Bridge is known for writing critically acclaimed comedy, it could mean that fans will be seeing a different side of Lara.
Some fans may be surprised at the idea of a comedic Tomb Raider tale, as recent installments in the franchise have been opposite. Known as the "survivor trilogy" within the franchise, games like Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider were centered around gritty and dark adventures that push Lara Croft to the edge. Given the previous focus on illuminating Lara's traumatic familial past and human fallibility, it makes sense that the latest trilogy of games has been pretty devoid of comedy. Although, the upcoming television series might be a refreshing change, akin to the Croft Manor appearing in the PowerWash Simulator DLC.
The Tomb Raider Franchise Could Use Another Take On Lara Croft
Lara Croft has evolved countless times, allowing new fans to be pulled into the community but also creating divisions when her character inevitably changes. Some fans were introduced to Lara with the original Tomb Raider trilogy, which contained narrative elements but were focused on terrain exploration, flashy combat, and cool stunts. The next trilogy of games including Tomb Raider: Underworld and Tomb Raider: Guardian of Light continued to focus on exploration and combat over narrative, developing ways for Lara to explore and fight more seamlessly, but keeping with the "effortless professional adventurer" archetype that was previously established.
Staring with Tomb Raider released in 2013, Crystal Dynamics shifted the narrative, portraying Lara as someone who was carved into a survivor, not becoming a seasoned adventurer until the last game. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider for instance, the game focuses on Lara's guilt and inability to accept loss, only allowing players to see glimpses of joy in moments with Jonah. Tomb Raider is often compared to the Uncharted franchise, the latter of which has become incredibly popular because of the pithy, irreverent energy that Nathan Drake possesses. The Tomb Raider television series could be a great way to humanize Lara differently from the past through a more Drake-style lens.
The Tomb Raider Television Series Should Turn Franchise Tropes Into Jokes
Some fans might be concerned about how the Tomb Raider franchise might translate to television -- skepticism that could be born from the number of Tomb Raider movies that have been critically panned. Fortunately enough, a television series would enable Phoebe Waller-Bridge and other creators to craft a narrative that is comedic, heartfelt, and most importantly rings true for the franchise at large. While there might be pressure to recreate the games without any creative license, taking a comedic route allows potential for the franchise to own some of the more ridiculous tropes in the series. From fighting dragons to single-handedly taking down Trinity, there's a lot of potential material.
Whether the TV show creates a brand-new adventure or cherry-picks from games across the franchise, it's important for the series to maintain the delicate balance between comedy and character depth, as Lara Croft has arguably never fully had either. It would be great to see Tomb Raider content that seeks to expand on Lara's character, using franchise tropes as the butt of the joke instead of the iconic heroine. Between hit shows like Killing Eve and a starring role in Indiana Jones 5, it seems safe to say that Phoebe Waller-Bridge's take on Lara Croft will be an adventure.
The Tomb Raider series is in development at Amazon.