Bloody Hell, Two Laras? Netflix's Tomb Raider Animated Series Ends As Amazon Revs Up
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Netflix's animated *Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft* is wrapping up with its second and final season this December, leaving us to ponder its abrupt end even as Amazon prepares to unleash its own live-action Lara Croft series starring Sophie Turner. It's a proper Lara-palooza, mate, but with a bittersweet goodbye.
Right, so I've been tinkering with the latest news from the digital ether, and it’s a bit of a classic wizard's paradox, isn't it? Just when you think you’ve got a handle on one timeline, another one pops up, full of parallel realities and competing adventurers.
Today's tale of temporal weirdness comes courtesy of our beloved Lara Croft. Apparently, Netflix’s animated romp, *Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft*, is set to unleash its second—and final—season on December 11th. Talk about a cliffhanger ending before it even properly starts, eh? You know that feeling when you cast a perfectly good spell, and it works a bit *too* well, dissolving the target entirely? That’s kind of how this news feels.
Now, don't get me wrong, I was proper chuffed when Hayley Atwell signed on as the voice of Lara. Her take on the iconic archaeologist has been a breath of fresh air, embodying that blend of fierce determination and cunning wit we all love. And hearing that Earl Baylon is back as Jonah, alongside Karen Fukuhara joining as Sam (a character first introduced in the excellent 2013 reboot, mind you!) for this final season? That’s pure gold, mate. The premise sounds promising too: Lara and Sam on the hunt for stolen African Orisha masks, diving into ancient secrets and dodging a mysterious billionaire. Sounds like classic Lara fare, wrapped up in a neatly animated bow.
But here's the rub, isn't it? *Final season.* Just two seasons. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Netflix has a bit of a reputation for pulling the plug on animated gems too soon – remember *The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance* or *Inside Job*? Sometimes it feels like they’re just chucking darts at a board, hoping something sticks, and if it doesn't immediately become *Squid Game*-level viral, it’s off to the digital graveyard. Is it a case of audience numbers not quite hitting the mark, or perhaps a strategic shift? It's always a bit of a head-scratcher when a well-received series (especially one based on a massive gaming IP) gets the chop so abruptly.
And this is where the plot thickens faster than a cauldron of mystery stew. Because almost in the same breath as this news, we’re also hearing that Sophie Turner has been announced as Amazon’s live-action Lara Croft, with none other than Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the helm. Fair dinkum, a simultaneous animated finale and a brand-new live-action series announcement! It’s like the gaming gods decided to hit us with a double-whammy of Lara content, but one’s a bittersweet goodbye and the other's a fresh hello.
So, what does this mean for us, the actual players and fans? On one hand, it’s a shame to see the animated series end just as it seems to be hitting its stride, especially with such a cracking voice cast. It offered a different flavour of Lara, a more traditional, globe-trotting adventurer, perhaps a spiritual successor to the classic games in tone, while still building on the reboot's narrative threads with Sam's inclusion.
On the other hand, a new live-action series with Sophie Turner as Lara and the creative genius of Phoebe Waller-Bridge? That's definitely got my curiosity peaked. Waller-Bridge has a knack for sharp dialogue and compelling character work, so the potential here is massive. Could this be the definitive live-action adaptation we've been waiting for, after so many attempts? Only time will tell, but it's certainly an exciting prospect to have such talent attached to the project.
But two Laras, effectively operating in parallel universes of adaptation? It's a fascinating, if somewhat chaotic, moment for the franchise. Will audiences be confused? Or will they embrace the idea of a Lara Croft multiverse, where different interpretations of the legendary archaeologist can coexist? I reckon it shows just how potent and enduring the Tomb Raider IP truly is, capable of spawning multiple adventures across different mediums, each with its own unique flavour.
So, as we prepare to bid farewell to the animated Lara this December, let's keep an eye on Amazon’s horizon. It’s a bittersweet pill, this news, losing one digital wizard's journey only to see another prepare to cast her first spell. But hey, more Lara is rarely a bad thing, even if it does mean a bit of a scheduling juggle to keep up with all her adventures. What do you reckon, mate? Are you sad to see the Netflix series go, or are you all in for Amazon's new take? Let us know!
Tags: Tomb Raider, Netflix, Amazon, Gaming Adaptations, Lara Croft
Original article: Eurogamer