First Image of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider Series

Lara Croft is back – and we already have a first impression of her look in the "Tomb Raider" series! Amazon Prime Video has released the first official image showing "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner in the archaeologist's typical outfit.

In addition to Turner, other roles have also been prominently cast. Sigourney Weaver is attracting particular attention. The "Alien" and "Avatar" actress takes on the role of Evelyn Wallis in the series – a mysterious and ambitious character who wants to use Lara's abilities for her own ends.

Also part of the cast is "Harry Potter" actor Jason Isaacs. He plays Lara's uncle Atlas DeMornay. Martin Bobb-Semple will be seen as Zip, a long-time confidant of Lara Croft. The ensemble is completed by Bill Paterson, known from "Fleabag", who plays the Croft family butler named Winston.

The showrunner duo Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Chad Hodge are behind the series. Waller-Bridge is best known as the creator and lead actress of the acclaimed series "Fleabag". Jonathan Van Tulleken, who was most recently responsible for "Shogun", is also on board as director and producer. According to the latest information, filming is set to begin on January 19. However, the "Tomb Raider" series does not yet have a specific start date.

Tomb Raider on the big screen and in series format: a look at all previous films and series

Since her debut in 1996, Lara Croft has been one of the most famous characters in video game history. The adventurer with archaeological flair, acrobatic skills and an iconic appearance has quickly become a pop culture icon. Accordingly, the move to tell the story of Tomb Raider outside the world of games was taken early on – in the cinema and later also in series format. The films and series to date show very different interpretations of the character and at the same time reflect the transformation of action cinema and series storytelling.

Angelina Jolie as the first Lara Croft (2001-2003)

The first big step onto the big screen came in 2001 with "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider". In the leading role: Angelina Jolie, who embodied Lara Croft with great physical presence and a self-confident demeanor. The film was strongly based on the early games, relying on spectacular action, exotic locations and mystical artifacts. Although the film was received cautiously by critics, it was a commercial success and finally made Lara Croft an international movie star.

This was followed two years later by "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life" (2003). The second part attempted to anchor the character a little more emotionally and offered larger set pieces as well as a globetrotting adventure structure. Nevertheless, this film also fell short of the critics' expectations. Despite Jolie's charismatic performance, this first film era ended after two parts – not least because action cinema and audience tastes changed.

The reboot with Alicia Vikander (2018)

After a long break, Hollywood dared to reboot the series in 2018. "Tomb Raider", starring Alicia Vikander, was much more in line with the reboot games from 2013. This version of Lara Croft showed a younger, more vulnerable heroine who first had to develop her skills. The movie told a classic origin story in which Lara is searching for her missing father and faces deadly dangers for the first time.

Compared to the Jolie films, the tone was more serious, grounded and less glamorous. Vikander's Lara was physically believable, emotionally approachable and more characterized by inner conflicts. The movie received a mixed reception: While many praised the more modern interpretation, others criticized a plot that was too conventional. Nevertheless, the film was financially successful enough to initiate sequel plans – which were later scrapped, however, so that this theatrical release also remained a single film.

Animation series: "Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft"

The franchise took a new direction with the announcement of an animated series. "Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft" was conceived as a series project that follows on from the modern game trilogy in terms of content. The series takes place after "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" and shows Lara as an experienced adventurer who continues to deal with the consequences of her past.

The series format offers clear advantages: It allows Lara Croft's character development to be told in greater depth and secondary characters and mythological elements to be explored in more detail. Animation also opens up creative freedom to authentically realize the acrobatic action and exotic environments of the games. The series is aimed not only at fans of the games, but also at an adult audience that appreciates more complex adventure stories.

Transformation of an icon

The previous "Tomb Raider" films and series clearly show how much the character of Lara Croft has changed over the years. From the self-confident action heroine of the early 2000s to the more realistic, vulnerable adventurer in the reboot and the reflective series character in the animated format – each version is a reflection of its time.

While the cinema films focused primarily on spectacle, series formats promise a deeper examination of Lara's personality and motivation. Tomb Raider thus remains a franchise in flux that is constantly being reinterpreted without losing its core: adventure, the discovery of unknown worlds and one of the most influential heroines in pop culture.