Amazon’s highly anticipated live-action “Tomb Raider” series is positioning itself as more than just another video game adaptation—it’s aiming to fundamentally reimagine Lara Croft’s world across multiple platforms and storytelling mediums.
A Unified Tomb Raider Universe
Story Kitchen, the production company specializing in video game adaptations, recently revealed ambitious details about their partnership with Amazon MGM Studios and Crystal Dynamics, the developer behind the iconic game series.
According to Story Kitchen’s website, the new “Tomb Raider” series will “reinvent the franchise on a massive scale” and interconnect “live-action television series and video games into a unified storytelling universe.”
This cross-platform approach suggests Amazon isn’t just adapting the games for television—they’re creating an expansive transmedia franchise where storylines flow between the series and future game releases, similar to what Marvel has achieved with its cinematic universe.
The Creative Dream Team
The series has assembled an impressive lineup of talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Sophie Turner, best known as Sansa Stark in “Game of Thrones,” will bring Lara Croft to life in what promises to be a fresh take on the adventurous archaeologist. Turner’s casting was confirmed just a few months ago after being first connected to the project in November 2024.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge—the Emmy-winning creator and star of “Fleabag”—is spearheading the creative vision, described as “launching an ambitious reimagining of the Lara Croft universe.” Waller-Bridge will serve as co-showrunner alongside Chad Hodge, with both also executive producing.
Jonathan Van Tulleken will direct and executive produce. Van Tulleken earned widespread acclaim for his work on FX’s “Shogun,” which dominated the 2024 Emmy Awards with 18 wins. His involvement suggests the series will prioritize cinematic quality and prestige television production values.
Waller-Bridge’s Passion Project
When Turner’s casting was officially announced, Waller-Bridge expressed genuine excitement about bringing this character to life:
“I’m so excited to announce the formidable Sophie Turner as our Lara alongside this phenomenal creative team. It’s not very often you get to make a show of this scale with a character you grew up loving. Everyone on board is wildly passionate about Lara and are all as outrageous, brave, and hilarious as she is. Get your artifacts out… Croft is coming…”
That final tease—”Get your artifacts out… Croft is coming…”—perfectly captures the tone Waller-Bridge seems to be aiming for: adventure, humor, and confidence.
The Long Road to Production
The “Tomb Raider” series has been in development for quite some time. It was first reported to be in the works in January 2023 and received an official greenlight from Prime Video in May 2024—over a year later.
According to September reports, filming is scheduled to begin in January 2026. That timeline means fans likely won’t see the series until late 2026 at the earliest, and more probably sometime in 2027.
What ‘Reinventing the Franchise’ Might Mean
The phrase “reinvent the franchise on a massive scale” raises intriguing questions about how drastically this adaptation will diverge from previous incarnations of Lara Croft.
The character has already been reimagined several times across different media. The original 1990s games presented Lara as a confident, wealthy aristocrat-adventurer. Angelina Jolie’s film adaptations in the early 2000s emphasized action and spectacle. The 2013 game reboot portrayed a younger, more vulnerable Lara undergoing a traumatic origin story. Alicia Vikander’s 2018 film adaptation followed that approach, focusing on a scrappier, less experienced version of the character.
Waller-Bridge’s description of the show’s creative team as “outrageous, brave, and hilarious” suggests this iteration might lean more heavily into humor and personality than previous versions. Given Waller-Bridge’s track record with “Fleabag” and her script work on “No Time to Die,” we can likely expect sharp dialogue, complex character dynamics, and a protagonist who doesn’t take herself too seriously even in life-threatening situations.
The Animated Series Connection
For fans eager for new “Tomb Raider” content while waiting for the live-action series, the animated show “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft” will release its final season on December 11.
It’s unclear whether the animated series will have any connection to the live-action show’s “unified storytelling universe,” or if it’s operating in its own continuity. The animated series has generally followed the characterization established by the 2013 game reboot, so any crossover would require some creative reconciliation if the live-action version takes a significantly different approach.
The Stakes for Amazon
Amazon has been aggressively investing in high-profile genre television, from “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” to “Fallout.” “Tomb Raider” represents another major bet on adapting beloved intellectual property with a built-in fanbase.
The challenge will be satisfying longtime fans of the games while also appealing to general audiences who may not have any relationship with Lara Croft. That balancing act has proven difficult for many video game adaptations, though recent successes like “The Last of Us” and “Fallout” have shown it’s possible with the right creative vision.
What We’re Waiting For
With filming not scheduled to begin until early 2026, fans have a long wait ahead before seeing Sophie Turner raid her first tomb. In the meantime, questions abound:
- What will the tone be? Action-adventure? Comedy-adventure? Dark and gritty?
- How much will the series connect to the games’ storylines versus creating something entirely new?
- What does a “unified storytelling universe” between TV and games actually look like in practice?
- Will we see classic elements like the Croft Manor, dual pistols, and signature ponytail?
One thing seems certain: with Waller-Bridge’s creative vision, Turner’s star power, and Amazon’s resources, this won’t be a small-scale adaptation. Whether it successfully “reinvents” one of gaming’s most iconic characters remains to be seen, but the ambition is undeniable.
As Waller-Bridge said: Croft is coming. We just have to wait a while longer to see exactly what form she’ll take.
