‘Tomb Raider’: Hollywood Studios Are In A “Feeding Frenzy” After MGM Lose Film Rights

What’s next for the “Tomb Raider” franchise?  At this point, its future is wide open, as TheWrap reports that MGM no longer has the film rights to the gaming franchise. The studio, which recently sold to Amazon, had until May to greenlight a sequel to their 2018 film starring Alicia Vikander. That window has passed, so now, as one source puts it, Hollywood studios are in a “feeding frenzy” to claim the rights.

READ MORE: Alicia Vikander Says ‘Tomb Raider’ Sequel Is Now In Limbo Due To MGM/Amazon Merger

With the rights up for grabs, Vikander is no longer attached to the reboot. That also re-confirms that the planned sequel to Vikander’s 2018 film with “Lovecraft Country” showrunner Misha Green in the director’s chair is dead. Insiders confirm that a future “Tomb Raider” project will be a complete reboot, with no casting or directing commitments. So, it’s open season in Hollywood on who controls the future of “Tomb Raider.”

The 2018 film with Vikander made nearly $275 million at the global box office off a $94 million budget, a modest success. The 2001 and 2003 films with Angelina Jolie in the Lara Croft role grossed $432 million combined off $115 million and $95 million budgets, respectively; two more modest successes.  

Back in May, Embracer Group acquired “Tomb Raider” game developer Crystal Dynamics and all connected IP from Square Enix in a $300 million sale. Embracer sees big potential in both “Tomb Raider” games, spin-offs, and transmedia projects (ie: new movies), so expect them to have a film deal lined up with a Hollywood studio soon.

Vikander showed promise in the Lara Croft role, but as if married life and a child didn’t already confirm it, her window as the character is officially over. Who takes over the Croft character in the future is anyone’s guess.