The planned Tomb Raider 2 movie has been scrapped as MGM loses the rights and kicks off a massive bidding war for the IP. Alicia Vikander starred in the 2018 live-action reboot of the franchise, based in part on the 2013 video game, which was a reboot of the game series. Directed by Roar Uthaug, Tomb Raider was a hit, pulling in $274 million worldwide, prompting development of a sequel. Vikander was expected to return to the role for Tomb Raider 2, which was set to be written and directed by Lovecraft County creator Misha Green.
In the game series, Lara Croft a.k.a. Tomb Raider is a British archaeologist who ventures around the world in search of treasure and artifacts, known for her athletic abilities, attractive appearance, and adeptness with a wide assortment of weapons, including her signature dual pistols. Created in 1996, the character has appeared in a number of video games, comic books, and an animated short series, as well as two feature films prior to Vikander, which starred Angelina Jolie. A new animated series is in the works for Netflix, which will have Agent Carter's Hayley Atwell voicing Lara Croft.
With MGM failing to greenlight the planned Tomb Raider 2 in time, the project is now scrapped, and the rights have reverted back to producer Graham King and his GK Films. According to TheWrap, Vikander and Green are no longer attached to the franchise and a complete reboot is planned, including a recast of the lead role. A bidding war has now erupted over the property, with studios and streamers all vying for the rights to the IP, which is a hot commodity for any potential rights holder.
Vikander teased a negative Tomb Raider 2 update in an interview earlier this month, and it appears her speculation has come to pass, as her involvement with the franchise comes to an end. The actor has remained busy since starring in the first film regardless, appearing in Netflix's Earthquake Bird, The Glorias, The Green Knight, and the HBO Max series Irma Vep. Vikander is set to appear in the historical period film Firebrand next, which traces the marriage of Queen Catherine Parr and Henry VIII.
The pandemic likely played a role in the continued delays of Tomb Raider 2, which ultimately led to the rights reverting back. With Amazon acquiring MGM, it also creates a stall in development for everything as the dust settles from the deal, meaning that Tomb Raider 2 is a casualty of many differing factors. Vikander did a fine job in the role, but with new studios and streamers vying for the property, they will bring their own ideas for the franchise that aren't beholden to a prior film. Regardless, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider will be back in live-action one way or another, be it as another video-game feature film reboot or potentially as a live-action series, depending on the highest-bidding streamer to scoop it up.
Source: TheWrap