A Tomb Raider TV series by Phoebe Waller-Bridge is in development at Amazon. The series is part of the Fleabag star's overall deal with the streamer. The Lara Croft series marks the latest effort to adapt the games as live-action projects after Angelina Jolie's and Alicia Vikander's respective Tomb Raider movies.
News of Waller-Bridge's Tomb Raider series comes the day after fans learned she extended her overall deal with Amazon for another three years. Amazon was reportedly aggressive in its efforts to renew its partnership with Waller-Bridge following its success with Fleabag.
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Waller-Bridge is attached to write the Tomb Raider series for Amazon. However, it is currently unknown if Waller-Bridge intends to star in the Tomb Raider series. In addition to her role as writer, Waller-Bridge is on board as an executive producer on Amazon's Tomb Raider series. She will serve in this role alongside former Amazon head of comedy and drama Ryan Andolina and former head of overall deals Amanda Greenblatt.
Considering Waller-Bridge's acclaimed work, Amazon's Tomb Raider series might finally deliver the live-action adaptation fans deserve. Jolie's Tomb Raider movie was financially successful enough to earn a sequel, but neither film was well-received. Vikander's movie was arguably a more successful film with audiences and critics, but hopes for a sequel were dashed when MGM lost the Tomb Raider film rights, and Vikander was no longer attached to the Lara Croft role.
The Tomb Raider movies are not the first video game adaptations to disappoint fans. That said, Waller-Bridger's adaptation doesn't necessarily have a low bar to clear. With HBO's The Last of Us perfectly integrating its video game moments, fans will likely raise the bar for video game movies and shows.
Still, Waller-Bridge's work with Fleabag alone proves she can deliver quality shows. The James Bond franchise even trusted her to fine-tune the No Time to Die script. Furthermore, Waller-Bridge has experience with the action-adventure genre after starring as Helena in Indiana Jones 5. So, with video game adaptations arguably improving over the past few years, Waller-Bridge might be the ideal person to bring Lara Croft's adventures to life on the small screen.
The Tomb Raider series is in development at Amazon.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter