Amazon Cancels Tomb Raider Series Starring Phoebe

The Rise and Fall of Amazon’s Tomb Raider Series

Amazon’s ambitious live-action adaptation of "Tomb Raider," featuring Sophie Turner as the iconic Lara Croft, has hit a massive snag. This project, known to generate colossal anticipation, appears to be "dead in the water." With Phoebe Waller-Bridge initially at the helm, hopes were sky-high. Meanwhile, fans are left wondering if this will ever see the light of day.

The tomb raiding saga has always been alluring. However, the much-touted series isn’t progressing, thanks to a storm of internal affairs and external blows. "Development hell" seems like an understatement. Waller-Bridge, widely celebrated for her work in "Fleabag," faced creative challenges. Scripts took longer to develop, and when delivered, they weren’t ready, says a source close to the matter.

Jennifer Salke, who enthusiastically backed the series at Amazon Studios, recently had her position reconsidered. Her backing had funneled significant investment into the "Tomb Raider" project. Yet, changes within Amazon’s hierarchy have brought an unexpected halt.

When it comes to creativity at Amazon, Waller-Bridge is facing a shift. Just before Salke left, Waller-Bridge’s contract saw a significant downgrade. The agreement is now non-exclusive and operates on a first-look basis, offering her far less than initially proposed. Notably, her partnership with Amazon had not yet yielded any aired content.

Meanwhile, Sophie Turner’s tale isn’t missing its share of drama. Back in November, Waller-Bridge’s choice for Turner as Lara Croft gained traction. Yet now, Turner is looking to new horizons. While the "Tomb Raider" dreams have dimmed, she’s working on various new projects, including a horror flick alongside Kit Harington titled "The Dreadful."

In this ever-changing narrative of the entertainment industry, fans cling to hope. The Tomb Raider legacy is far from over, even if this chapter certainly seems concluded. Interested in diving deeper into trade paperbacks and how stories of this magnitude adapt? Visit our trade paperback exchange for more.

Image credit: Cosmic Book News, Daily Mail, Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones fan site