The Three Eras Of Lara Croft: Everything We Know About The New Tomb Raider Universe

The iconic adventurer Lara Croft is back in the spotlight, but the world of *Tomb Raider* is undergoing its most significant cinematic transformation yet. As of late 2024, the focus has shifted entirely from standalone movie reboots to a massive, interconnected "Tomb Raider universe" spearheaded by Amazon MGM Studios and a surprising, critically acclaimed talent. This deep dive into the franchise's history and its explosive future will cover every major film project, from the early 2000s blockbusters to the latest casting announcements that have the internet buzzing.

The journey of Lara Croft on the big screen has always mirrored the evolution of the video game franchise itself: bold, adventurous, and constantly reinventing its protagonist. This new era, driven by the ambition to create a unified storytelling universe across television and film, promises to be the most comprehensive and exciting adaptation yet, pushing the boundaries of what a video game movie can achieve.

The Cinematic Legacy of Lara Croft: A Complete Filmography

The history of *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* on film spans two decades and three distinct eras, each starring a different actress who brought her unique interpretation to the formidable archaeologist. Understanding this legacy is crucial to appreciating the scale of the new Amazon reboot.

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• Film Era 1: The Angelina Jolie Duology (2001–2003)
• Film Era 2: The Alicia Vikander Reboot (2018)
• Film Era 3: The Amazon MGM Universe (Upcoming)

1. The Era of the Global Superstar: Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft

The first cinematic adaptation of the global video game phenomenon arrived in 2001, defining the character for a generation of moviegoers. This version of Lara Croft was a seasoned, wealthy adventurer, perfectly capturing the spirit of the original Core Design games.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

Angelina Jolie was cast as the title character, a decision that instantly cemented the film's star power. The plot revolved around a race against the Illuminati to recover two halves of an ancient artifact—the Triangle of Light—before a planetary alignment. The film was a massive financial success, proving the commercial viability of video game adaptations.

• Actress: Angelina Jolie
• Director: Simon West
• Notable Cast: Jon Voight (Lara’s father, Lord Croft), Iain Glen (Manfred Powell), Daniel Craig (Alex West).
• Box Office: Grossed $274.7 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film based on a video game at the time.
• Legacy: Despite mixed critical reviews, Jolie’s performance was widely praised, establishing her as the definitive on-screen Lara Croft for many fans.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)

The sequel saw Lara Croft on a quest to find Pandora's Box before the villainous bio-terrorist Jonathan Reiss could use it. While the action sequences were often considered superior to the first film, the box office returns were lower, leading to the end of the Jolie era.

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• Actress: Angelina Jolie
• Director: Jan de Bont
• Notable Cast: Gerard Butler (Terry Sheridan), Ciarán Hinds (Jonathan Reiss).
• Box Office: Worldwide gross fell to approximately $156 million.

2. The Era of the Origin Story: Alicia Vikander's Reboot

In 2018, Warner Bros. and MGM launched a hard reboot, drawing inspiration from the critically acclaimed 2013 video game that focused on a younger, less experienced Lara Croft. This adaptation aimed for a grittier, more grounded survival story.

Tomb Raider (2018)

Swedish actress Alicia Vikander took on the role, portraying Lara as a bike courier in London who embarks on a journey to a mythical island off the coast of Japan—the last known location of her missing father, Richard Croft (played by Dominic West). This film was less about artifacts and more about survival and self-discovery, aligning with the "Survivor Trilogy" of games.

• Actress: Alicia Vikander
• Director: Roar Uthaug
• Notable Cast: Dominic West (Richard Croft), Walton Goggins (Mathias Vogel).
• Box Office: The film performed well internationally, grossing over $274 million worldwide.
• Status: A sequel was planned, but the rights lapsed in 2022, effectively ending the Vikander era despite her publicly expressed hope to return to the role.

3. The Amazon MGM Universe: Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sophie Turner's New Dawn

The most significant and current development is the complete franchise overhaul led by Amazon MGM Studios. Instead of another single film, the studio is building a massive, interconnected media universe that will span both a live-action series and subsequent films, creating a unified storytelling experience akin to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

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The Tomb Raider Series: The Foundation of the New Universe

The first pillar of this new universe is a live-action series for Prime Video, which will serve as the foundation for all future projects, including the next theatrical *Tomb Raider* movie. This project is generating immense buzz due to the talent attached.

• Mastermind: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the Emmy-winning creator and star of *Fleabag* and writer of *Killing Eve*, has been tapped as the writer and executive producer. Her involvement suggests the series will feature sharp writing, complex characters, and a fresh, modern take on the adventurer.
• New Lara Croft: In a major announcement, *Game of Thrones* star Sophie Turner was officially cast as the new Lara Croft. This casting moves the franchise in a new direction, with Turner set to portray a seasoned adventurer ready for standalone, high-stakes globe-trotting.
• Production Status: The series is officially moving forward and is slated to begin production in early 2025, with some reports suggesting a start date as early as January 2026. This confirms that the project is a high priority for Amazon MGM Studios.
• The Scope: Amazon’s vision is to interconnect the new live-action series, future films, and potentially even new video games into a single, cohesive narrative. This "shared universe" model is a first for the *Tomb Raider* franchise.

The Future Tomb Raider Movie: The Theatrical Component

While the immediate focus is on the Prime Video series, the entire deal with Crystal Dynamics and dj2 Entertainment includes the development of a new live-action film. This movie is expected to spin out of the events, characters, and world established in Phoebe Waller-Bridge's series. The goal is to elevate the franchise to a true global blockbuster status by having the series build the audience and the world, and the film deliver the massive, theatrical event.

• Interconnected Storytelling: The film will not be a separate reboot but a direct continuation or major event within the established Amazon *Tomb Raider* universe.
• Potential Cast: While not confirmed for the film, it is highly likely that Sophie Turner’s Lara Croft will transition from the small screen to the big screen, much like successful TV-to-film franchise models.
• New Creative Direction: With Waller-Bridge guiding the narrative, the new film is expected to "reinvent the franchise," focusing on a more character-driven yet high-octane adventure that honors the legacy of the video games while appealing to a new global audience.

Topical Authority: Key Entities in the New Tomb Raider Universe

The new Amazon project is a massive undertaking involving several high-profile companies and creative entities:

• Amazon MGM Studios: The main studio driving the entire interconnected universe.
• Prime Video: The platform for the foundational live-action series.
• Crystal Dynamics: The long-time developer of the *Tomb Raider* video game series, ensuring creative alignment with the source material.
• dj2 Entertainment: A production company specializing in video game adaptations, holding a first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios.
• Phoebe Waller-Bridge: Writer and Executive Producer, bringing her signature wit and depth to the character of Lara Croft.
• Sophie Turner: The new actress cast as the latest incarnation of the iconic adventurer.
• LSI Keywords: Unified Storytelling Universe, Live-Action Series, Video Game Adaptation, Lara Croft Reboot, Shared Cinematic Universe, The Cradle of Life, Survivor Trilogy.

The future of *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* is no longer about a single movie, but an entire world. The combination of Amazon’s resources, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s unique creative vision, and Sophie Turner’s star power has set the stage for the most ambitious and potentially successful video game adaptation in cinematic history.