Lara Croft, the legendary archaeologist and tomb raider, is making her grand return, not in a game or a movie, but as an anime series on Netflix.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft was showcased in Netflix’s digital event, Drop 01, where the streamer unveiled the captivating teaser trailer.
The upcoming anime will position itself chronologically follow the narrative of the Crystal Dynamics’ video game reboot trilogy. This is the set of games that witnessed Lara evolve from a survivor caught in a perilous situation on an island, to the heroine who confronted her own past and the shadows it cast on her present.
Netflix, in collaboration with Legendary Television and Crystal Dynamics, with the animation produced by the renowned Powerhouse Animation (famed for the Castlevania series), is spearheading this venture.
The teaser, while brief, was enough to get audiences excited for what’s coming. It shows a more seasoned and hardened Lara poised to launch an arrow from her bow, plunging into a mysterious cave hinting at a supernatural element, and it also gives viewers a brief look at the visual style of the series. The intensity, grit, and action-packed sequences echo the darker tones of the recent games, while also promising an adventurous narrative fit for the iconic character.
Lending her voice to the titular character is Haley Atwell, who’s best known for her role as Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Other cast members include Allen Maldonado, providing the voice for Zip, and Earl Baylon, who will reprise his role as Jonah Maiava from the game series.
Given the talent involved, fans have high expectations for the depth and dynamism of the characters in the series.
The series carries the essence of the latest trilogy, but it promises to dive deeper into Lara’s evolution, tracing her steps as she becomes the iconic tomb raider the world knows her as. While the exact intricacies of the plot remain shrouded in mystery, it’s evident that fans and newcomers alike will witness Lara Croft’s adventures as she faces challenges and in uncovering ancient secrets, and confronts her destiny.
Outside of the Netflix adaptation, the Tomb Raider franchise isn’t standing still. It’s gearing up to embrace both its past and future.
On the horizon for 2024 is the release of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft for modern consoles and PC. Amazon has also teased unifying the timelines of the original games and the rebooted series, hinting at a much larger narrative and perhaps more adventures for Lara Croft in the foreseeable future. Finally, ongoing collaborations with Activision Blizzard and Call of Duty help guarantee that the mainstream spotlight stays on Lara Croft.
However, amidst the excitement, former Square Enix head, Jacob Navok, has expressed his concerns about exclusivity deals in the modern age, noting how such arrangements might not always serve the best interests of game developers like Square Enix, as seen with Final Fantasy 16. But that’s a debate for another time.
For now, all eyes are on Netflix’s animated iteration of Tomb Raider.
With a release window set for 2024, fans have begun the eager wait, hoping that The Legend of Lara Croft lives up to its name and does justice to the iconic character’s rich legacy.
