Archaeologists don't come much sexier than Lara Croft and though the Tomb Raider films arguably met with mixed critical success, it's now pretty hard to imagine anyone but Angelina Jolie in the starring role (though original Lara model Rhona Mitra has been doing well for herself in smaller Hollywood projects and TV). However the film franchise appeared to stall after the last outing and Jolie has gone on to several other high profile projects.
Now, thanks to a deal between GK Films and Eidos, the game's manufacturer, it looks as if Lara will be coming back to the big screen - though it is unlikely to be in the form of Ms Jolie. Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, the writing team behind the likes of Iron Man and the upcoming Cowboys and Aliens will be the scribes trying to kickstart and reboot the concept, taking the main elements from the computer game but giving the film side of the franchise a new wash and brush-up.
The main question at the moment is that all-important casting. Though there are only a few several strong female action-franchise stars (think Kate Beckinsale in the Underworld films and Milla Jovovich in the Resident Evil franchise - also based on a computer game concept) it seems unlikely that either of them would be picked for the character when their existing titles are still so strong (though Beckinsale must surely be considered a viable candidate). It may well be the case that a lesser-known, 'fresher', younger actress is sought for the role, but it's clear this will be a key decision.
No release date or further information about the plot is available as yet, but this is one franchise that, should everything align properly, will get maximum publicity when the time is right...
