Although the big bucks are going to comic book adaptations these days, there's always room for a new video game franchise in Hollywood. At least, that's what "Tomb Raider" developers Crystal Dynamics and GK Films are hoping.
There's a new "Tomb Raider" game in town, with a younger heroine and a new target market comprised of gamers that might not have even been born when Lara Croft went on her first adventure 17 years ago. Juicing up the game with a new angle on the Croft story was just one part of trying to revive the "Raider" franchise. Production company GK Films is on board to develop a new "Lara Croft" film, presumably with an eye towards a new film franchise on par with the Angelina Jolie flicks of the early aughts.
Angelina Jolie had already snagged an Oscar for her role in "Girl, Interrupted" and a Golden Globe for her turn in "Gia" by the time she strapped on Lara Croft's tomb raiding gear. It's arguable that 2001's "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" catapulted her career to the next level and made her the go-to gal for action films like "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," "Wanted," and "Salt."
Darrell Gallagher of Crystal Dynamics told Variety, "It was important for both of us to have a cohesive version of the franchise … We didn't want to see a film version that was a continuation of the old 'Tomb Raider films." Gallagher namechecks Bond, Batman, and "127 Hours" as inspiration for the video game's spin on the heroine. Will the movie adaptation be in that same vein?
More importantly, will a new "Tomb Raider" film do the same thing for another up-and-coming actress's career that it did for Jolie's? Given that Crystal Dynamics has armed her with a bow along with her usual arsenal, Jennifer Lawrence would be a great fit if she wasn't wrapped up with "The Hunger Games" these days. Who would you pick to play Lara Croft?
[via Variety]
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