Writer and producer Tasha Huo stated that Netflix's Tomb Raider anime series will bridge the gap between the original games and Crystal Dynamics' reboot. The series was announced in January 2021 and will be animated by Powerhouse Animation Studios, with Netflix and Legendary co-producing the series. The show will follow series protagonist Lara Croft, who has been the face of the franchise since the inception of the adventure game series.
Tomb Raider celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2021, marking 25 years of adventures with British archaeologist Lara Croft on her globe-trotting adventures since the original game was released in 1996. The series has seen multiple releases since, switching between development staffs and game development studios, with Square Enix gaining ownership in 2009, assigning developers Crystal Dynamics to produce a grounded reboot following Lara's origins before she became the legendary archaeologist fans were introduced to. Fans will see Lara Croft return on Netflix, with Marvel Cinematic Universe and Black Mirror star Hayley Atwell set to voice Lara Croft, and it has now been revealed that the team behind the animated series intends to finally bridge the gaps between the separate continuities.
In an update video uploaded to the official Tomb Raider YouTube channel, writer and executive producer Huo provided an update on the series to fans. Luo stated that the series would take place after Crystal Dynamics' "Survivor trilogy," which includes 2013's Tomb Raider, 2015's Rise of the Tomb Raider, and 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The series would take Lara Croft from the character she grew to be throughout the "Survivor trilogy" to the character fans were introduced to the original game, with Huo and the team behind the show working with both Crytal Dynamics and Netflix to bridge the gap. Check out Huo's full statement below.
"The Tomb Raider anime series from Legendary and Netflix will provide fans like you—and me—around the world with some of the first steps toward unifying the Tomb Raider timelines, as we transition beyond the Survivor Trilogy and start to follow Lara’s journey leading up to the first steps of that first Tomb Raider game."
Announced in January, it had been previously confirmed that the series would feature characters Zip and Jonah Maiava, with Allen Maldonaldo and Earl Baylon voicing each character respectively. Both Zip and Jonah featured in previous games across the franchise, with Zip being an ally to Lara in Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Underworld, while Jonah was Lara's most trusted friend throughout the Survivor trilogy. The animated series isn't the only upcoming adaptation of the franchise, with a sequel to Alicia Vikander's 2018 film Tomb Raider having been confirmed with Misha Green set to write and direct.
Tomb Raider is the latest video game adaptation from Powerhouse Animation Studios, following previous successes like Castlevania. With the series set to bridge the gap between the original series and Crystal Dynamics' trilogy, the series will finally answer fan questions and bridge the gap between the different incarnations of Lara. With both continuities finally being connected, longtime fans will finally have a clear understanding of Lara Croft's complete career.
Source: Tomb Raider