Hold on to your hats, action fans! Could we be seeing Sigourney Weaver, the iconic Ripley from Alien, diving headfirst into the world of Tomb Raider? It's a possibility that's got everyone buzzing, and the implications are HUGE.
According to recent reports, Weaver is in talks for a major role in Amazon Prime Video's upcoming live-action Tomb Raider series, starring Sophie Turner (best known for Game of Thrones) as the legendary Lara Croft. This comes from Ryan O'Rourke, a Senior News Writer at Collider, known for his deep dives into adult animation, video game adaptations, and all things Mike Flanagan. O'Rourke's passion for fandom shines through in his work, whether he's covering baseball, the latest season of Futurama, or dissecting From Software games. He's got strong opinions, and he's not afraid to share them! His background includes covering everything from politics to campus life at Eureka College, bringing a well-rounded perspective to his entertainment writing.
But here's where it gets interesting... While details about Weaver's potential character are shrouded in mystery, her involvement would be a massive boost for the series, marking the first significant casting addition since Turner snagged the role of Lara Croft over a year ago. The series is slated to begin filming on January 19th, so expect more casting news to drop soon.
The Tomb Raider series is being spearheaded by the brilliant Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creative force behind Fleabag. She signed on to revitalize the franchise at the beginning of 2023 and has been diligently developing the project with Story Kitchen, Amazon MGM, and Crystal Dynamics, the developers behind the Tomb Raider reboot games. Waller-Bridge has hinted at a desire to recapture the '90s essence of the original games. And this is the part most people miss... Could this mean a return to the puzzle-solving and globe-trotting adventures that defined the early Tomb Raider games, rather than the darker, grittier tone of the more recent trilogy that inspired the Alicia Vikander films and the animated series, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft? It's a fascinating prospect that could drastically alter the direction of the series.
Joining Waller-Bridge on the creative team are Chad Hodge and Jonathan Van Tulleken, who will serve as executive producers and co-showrunners. Van Tulleken, a BAFTA-winning director, will also be directing episodes, bringing his experience from acclaimed series like Shōgun, Dope Thief, Upload, and The Changeling. The executive production team is rounded out by Jenny Robins, Michael Scheel, Crystal Dynamics, Legendary Television, and Story Kitchen's Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Timothy I. Stevenson.
Even with the possibility of joining the Tomb Raider universe, Sigourney Weaver's schedule remains incredibly busy. Fans can catch her in Dust Bunny alongside Mads Mikkelsen, a reunion with Bryan Fuller. She'll also be reprising her role in Avatar: Fire and Ash, joining Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his family as they face the fiery Ash People. And that's not all! Weaver is also set to appear in The Mandalorian & Grogu, joining Pedro Pascal and Jeremy Allen White in the Star Wars galaxy. That film is scheduled for release on May 22, 2026.
But here's a thought: What kind of role could Weaver possibly play in Tomb Raider? Could she be a mentor figure to Lara Croft, a powerful antagonist, or perhaps someone connected to Lara's family history? This is where it gets controversial... Some fans might prefer a completely new character, while others might want to see Weaver take on an established role from the Tomb Raider lore. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
With production on Tomb Raider kicking off in January, we'll be keeping a close eye on casting news and any further developments. Stay tuned to Collider for all the latest updates!
