Amazon’s new series will benefit from the revived interest in the Tomb Raider brand if it launches alongside the next Tomb Raider video game.
The first teaser for Amazon’s upcoming Tomb Raider series features Sophie Turner as Lara Croft. The picture, posted by entertainment news outlets and widely shared on social media, is the first public look at the famous adventurer in her latest live-action role. Even though there isn’t a set date for when the Amazon Prime Video series will be available, the news itself has sparked a lot of talk.
The series is set to start filming around 2026, which means it will probably come out sometime in 2027, since that’s when most big streaming projects come together. That time frame might fit in well with the franchise’s bigger plans. This year, an update of Tomb Raider will come out, and next year, a whole new Tomb Raider game will come out.
The show looks like it will land around that momentum, and the renewed interest in Lara Croft across many forms could be good for it. Many people knew right away that Sophie Turner is Lara Croft from the picture itself. Fans of the figure for a long time will recognize the outfit, posture, and general look. Some people immediately thought something good: it looks like Lara Croft.
Some watchers were less enthusiastic, and some said the picture looked more like well-done cosplay than a fully realized movie adaptation.
As expected, people on the internet have had very different responses. But that split seems almost certain to happen. Reinterpreting a famous character like Lara Croft is rarely a smooth process, especially when that character has appeared in many games, movies, and books over the years. This trend has happened many times before, and Tomb Raider is no different.
Visuals are often the first thing people look at when deciding whether or not to watch a series. However, they make up only a small part of what ultimately determines a series’ success. From our point of view, the look is pretty good. It fits with how people think of Lara Croft today, without going too far from what people know.
Given how the character has been portrayed recently, especially in the remakes, the style seems to fit with that more grounded, realistic approach. It doesn’t completely change the character or copy exactly how they were in the past.
The story, tone, and writing of the show will be much more important than the outfit or the first picture.
An adaptation can look just like the book, but if it doesn’t have good writing, it won’t stick with people. On the other hand, even a look that divides opinion can be saved by interesting characters, well-thought-out world-building, and a clear artistic vision. On that exact scale, we have seen changes work and not work.
At this point, not much is known about the show’s plot, supporting cast, or general direction. Because we don’t have enough information, it’s hard to come to a clear conclusion. The first picture should be seen as just that—a first impression—not a final verdict.
No matter how you feel about it—love it, hate it, or somewhere in between—the show has a long way to go before it touches people. As excitement grows, it looks like the Tomb Raider series is about to make a big comeback.
With several games coming out and a popular streaming show on the way, Lara Croft is once again getting a lot of attention. Many factors will determine whether this Amazon series is a unique take or just another in the long line of Tomb Raider remakes. For now, everyone is still focused on what’s coming next, and the talk will likely not stop until the show finally starts on Amazon Prime Video.
