Most video games never get a chance on the big screen. Countless beloved titans of interactive storytelling have stayed comfortably off of Hollywood’s radar for decades. Others endure multiple adaptations with wildly varying quality. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider enjoyed two cinematic adaptations in the 2000s before a reboot in the 2010s. The long-running game series will soon experience its first TV series, courtesy of Amazon and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, but which version of the character might they approach?
Video game movies started their upward swing with Detective Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog, but it’s safe to say that the cultural reputation has shifted. Video game TV shows have their own set of ups and downs, but they’re very common these days. The animated offerings, like Castlevania, Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, and even Ark: The Animated Series, stand out. Amazon Prime established its chops with Fallout, arguably the best-received video game adaptation of all time. They’re handling Tomb Raider next, with a healthy dose of faith from the fanbase.
Amazon is working on a Tomb Raider series
Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge pitched an adaptation of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider to Amazon as part of a wider deal with the streamer last year. The multitalented performer will write the scripts for the series but won’t star in the title role. Her take on Tomb Raider received a series order from Amazon this May. 2024 appears to be a big year for Lara Croft, especially immediately following the rough time she’s had since 2019. Fans may recall Square Enix selling the lion’s share of its valuable assets to Embracer Group to focus its energies on NFTs. That hilarious and embarrassing decision has extended Lara’s long vacation for several more years. Finally, Aspyr, one of Embracer’s in-house development studios, put out a remastered collection of the first three games this February. This comes alongside the promise of Waller-Bridge’s upcoming series and a long-awaited animated adaptation set to release on Netflix. Lara is back to do what she does best, but how will she appear in Amazon’s series?
Which Lara Croft should the Amazon series use?
Lara Croft exists in two distinct timelines. Embracer Group announced their intentions to combine the two narratives into one shared universe, but any attempt at that challenge has yet to appear. The split began in 2013, after Square Enix split developers Crystal Dynamics into two teams. The difference between the two characters is night and day, but the show has some interesting options when it comes time to adapt Lara to the small screen.
The Original Lara Croft
Lara Croft, as established in 1996 and developed over the subsequent years, is a fantastic video game character. Born to a disgustingly wealthy London aristocrat, Lara survived a plane crash that left her stranded in the Himalayas. This experience tested her survival skills after a life in the lap of luxury. After two weeks, she returned to civilization as a changed woman. She would spend the remainder of her life exploring the world to satisfy her newfound sense of adventure. Her rich father disowned her, leading her to fend for herself with ever-growing skills as a master thief, mercenary, and treasure hunter. That’s a flawlessly straightforward backstory for a hero like Lara. It’s easy to imagine the show spending less than half of one episode on Lara’s early life, briefly depicting her time in the Himalayas, and then sending her off on her new adventure. It’s succinct, easy, and thrilling. It also establishes her wide variety of experiences, world-class education, and obsession with new experiences.
The Reboot Lara Croft
Technically, Lara enjoyed a 2006 reboot that altered her backstory, but that one rarely receives attention. The Survivor trilogy fully rewrites Lara as a newcomer to the world of adventure. The new Lara grew up traveling the world with her parents, a couple of dedicated archaeologists. Her mom disappears on the job, and her dad takes his own life, leaving her to leave for college in London. Despite this version of Lara growing up on expeditions with her parents, she’s characterized by her inexperience. All three games in the Survivor trilogy feature Lara’s gradual mastery of hunting, fighting, and exploring. She’s more grounded, defined by a preternatural persistence that often demands she suffer immense trauma to complete her goals. This version of the character receives positive attention from many for being more nuanced than her scantily clad predecessor.
There is an option other than selecting one of the two Lara Croft depictions. A wise version of this show could have both. Given Embracer Group’s intention to combine both timelines, Amazon Prime’s Tomb Raider could depict Lara Croft as a confident thrill-seeker and a determined newcomer. Phoebe Waller-Bridge could divide the show into two halves, one set in the past and the other set in the present. The Tomb Raider show doesn’t have to pick one or the other, but it could do very well with both.
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