Tomb Raider movie is a "very different" origin story

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 21 November, 2011

Expect a character piece.

The new Tomb Raider movie is a "very different" origin story, its producer has revealed.

We will get to see how Lara Croft became Lara Croft in the movie, which producer Graham King likened to Casino Royale and Batman Begins in an interview with Coming Soon.

"Listen, the box office, they [previous Tomb Raider films] weren't disasters but I find it interesting that the story that we're telling is really the story before she became Lara Croft, so it is a character piece," he said.

"It does have a lot of really great characters, but it's a lot of action and a lot of fun, and for me, it's something very different. I've not really done a movie like that before, but I really gravitated to rebooting this franchise and we're going to give it a shot."

The new Tomb Raider movie is written by the duo responsible for penning the original Iron Man movie and cult sci-fi favourite Children of Men: Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby.

Their intention is to create an "origin story for Lara Croft that solidifies her place alongside Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor in the pantheon of great female action heroes".

There's no word yet on who will play the titular treasure hunter but considering it's an origin story it seems unlikely that 35-year-old Angelina Jolie will be reprising the role.

Similarly, it's not known if the film will relate at all to the forthcoming Crystal Dynamics game - also an origin story - currently in development for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

First announced back in March, the movie is expected in cinemas in 2013 - ten years after the last film in the series, 2003's The Cradle of Life.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (9) Latest comment 6 months ago

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  • FanBoysSuck #1 6 months ago

    Hmm potential for being good looking at the writing credits. I'll keep a cautious eye on this.

  • beastmaster #2 6 months ago

    If they're doing an origins I hope they don't turn into into a Twilight type of film. Looks as though that's not what they're aiming for.

  • Canyarion #3 6 months ago

    Their intention is to create an "origin story for Lara Croft that solidifies her place alongside Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor in the pantheon of great female action heroes".

    The only place to do a game character full justice is in a game.
    Edited by Canyarion at 21/11/11 @ 14:37

  • octavedoctor #4 6 months ago

    "We will get to see how Lara Croft became Lara Croft in the movie, which producer Graham King likened to Casino Royale and Batman Begins in an interview with..."

    Long and boring then...

  • nuanimal #5 6 months ago

    If only someone could make a Tomb Raider film, where Lara Croft has character, personality & charisma that rivals Indiana Jones...

  • Zerrin #6 6 months ago

    I actually like the first Tomb Raider film, and own it on Blu-ray. Cradle of Life is meh. I'll watch it if it's on TV, but I wouldn't pay money for it. And I think Angelina Jolie is excellent as Lara.

  • digitalash #7 6 months ago

    I love Children of Men. And Iron Man was great fun. Could this be the elusive videogame movie that doesn't suck(tm)?

  • SidSinister #8 6 months ago

    story before she became Lara Croft

    So the movie is about about her parents getting on, her conception and her mother being pregnant and ending with Lara's birth?

    Well that is a very different origin story.
    Edited by SidSinister at 21/11/11 @ 16:56

  • Bander #9 6 months ago

    "We will get to see how Lara Croft became Lara Croft"

    Again? Isn't the upcoming game supposed to be doing this?

    Or is this a movie about Core Design staff wondering whether Laura Cruz is really a good name for the heroine of their upcoming Sega 32X game?