Alicia Vikander Exits 'Tomb Raider 2' Movie, Franchise Rights In Limbo

The Tomb Raider films have been a cursed enterprise since beginning in 2001. The first two Angelina Jolie vehicles didn't translate the beloved games to screen very well, their bland and goofy action adding nothing to the already empty stories. The reboot in 2018, however, seemed promising. Based more on the rebooted game series (beginning with 2013's Tomb Raider), it gave protagonist Lara Croft more of a human side with actor Alicia Vikander. There was a lot lacking, but a decent series could stem from it.

In an unfortunate turn of events, the next adaptation of Tomb Raider won't be produced by MGM, and, consequentially, Alicia Vikander won't be involved.

Check out the trailer for 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the third in the reboot series.

There had been talks of a sequel to 2018's Tomb Raider since the proceeding year, and Misha Green, of Lovecraft Country and Black Canary fame, was set to write and direct. As of 2021, the whole thing seemed to still be in production, with Vikander saying in an interview with ComicBook.com, "COVID kind of put everything just up in the air. But yeah, I'm excited to read scripts and hope that it's something that we'll find a way to make."

Now, however, it looks like Green's script won't see the light of day, and Vikander won't be returning as Lara Croft. It's a shame, because Vikander had a lot more to give as Croft. She knew this herself, after saying that she's "excited to show the world" her and Green's collaboration.

The future of Lara Croft on the big screen is now in the hands of a bidding war between other huge studios, no doubt desperate for the rights. A Tomb Raider movie is bound to sell tickets, We're just gutted we won't see Alicia Vikander don the duel pistols. In the meantime, we'll rest in comfort that a TV show is definitely on the way.