Tomb Raider: Waller-Bridge SHOCKS Fans With New Cast Choice!

Okay, Tomb Raider fans, brace yourselves because Amazon’s live-action series is shaping up to be something special. We've just gotten word that British actor Martin Bobb-Semple has joined the cast alongside Sophie Turner's Lara Croft. You might recognize Bobb-Semple from his role as Orlando 'Lando' Johnson on "All American: Homecoming." This is excellent casting news, and I'm already excited to see what he brings to the franchise.

Tomb Raider: Waller-Bridge SHOCKS Fans With New Ca...

While Amazon is keeping details tightly under wraps, Bobb-Semple's role is currently unconfirmed. Naturally, the internet sleuths are already hard at work, and the prevailing theory seems to be that he'll be playing Zip, Lara's tech-savvy friend. Zip is a fan favorite character who first popped up in the "Legend" timeline of the games, so this would be a pretty cool move. It's a role that requires a certain wit and charm, and from what I've seen of Bobb-Semple’s previous work, he definitely has the potential to nail it.

Of course, the real draw for many is Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The "Fleabag" creator is not just writing and executive producing, but also co-showrunning the series. This immediately elevates the project to a different level, at least in my book. Waller-Bridge has a knack for crafting complex, relatable characters with a healthy dose of humor, and that's exactly what Lara Croft needs. Jonathan Van Tulleken will be directing and also executive producing, with Chad Hodge sharing co-showrunner and executive producer duties with Phoebe, so there's a solid team behind the camera as well.

The wait, as always, is the hardest part. Filming is scheduled to kick off early next year, specifically January 19th. That feels like ages away, doesn't it? No release date has been announced yet, but with filming starting soon, we can probably expect to see it sometime in late 2025, maybe even early 2026. Fingers crossed it's sooner, but these things take time to do well.

It's a good time to be a Tomb Raider fan! Amazon is also working with Crystal Dynamics on the next game installment, which is exciting. And if live-action isn't your thing, don't forget that Netflix is dropping the second and final season of their animated series, "The Legend of Lara Croft," on December 11th. This season, Lara teams up with her best friend Sam to recover stolen African Orisha masks. So, plenty of Lara Croft action to keep us occupied while we eagerly anticipate Amazon's take on the iconic adventurer.