When it comes to video game movie adaptations, the Tomb Raider franchise have been one of the luckier franchises to make it out with its dignity intact. Sure Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and The Cradle of Light can’t necessarily be considered “great” movies, but they were still entertaining films that managed to remain faithful to their original source material – not to mention a couple of dedicated performances by Angeline Jolie as the titular character that make the films go from “passable” to “actually worth watching.” However, considering the success of the recent Tomb Raider games developed by Square Enix, it makes sense that Hollywood would want to get their hands on a piece of the franchise’s profits. And what better way to do so than with a reboot of their own?
Having already confirmed a few months ago that Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina, The Danish Girl) would be starring as Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider movie, Warner Bros. and MGM have now set up a date for the film as well. The movie has been set to premiere in theaters on March 16, 2018, beating out an untitled DC film- rumored to be The Flash– for the spot. The film will focus on a younger, inexperienced Lara as she goes on her first archaeological adventure, suggesting that inspiration will be taken from the 2013 reboot game. The film will be directed by Norwegian film director Roar Uthaug (The Wave) and produced by Graham King (The Departed, Hugo), with both film studios serving as co-producers. No other information has been given regarding production or casting for the movie.
Vikander’s upcoming performances will include a role in the film Jason Bourne, as well as The Light Between Oceans, in which she will star opposite Michael Fassbender. In addition, Warner Bros. has recently announced a release date of April 21, 2017 for their film Unforgettable, a dramatic-thriller starring Katherine Heigl and Rosario Dawson.