The next Tomb Raider film will feature a new Lara Croft

Image: Warner Bros

There are movie rights up for grabs. According to a report from TheWrap, MGM waited too long to create a sequel to its Tomb Raider film, freeing up the rights for the next Hollywood studio that wants to create an adaption of the long-running video game franchise.

The Tomb Raider rights are currently in the hands of several studios. With no obligation to retain the same cast and crew, the next Tomb Raider film could be a complete remake with another actress taking over the role.

The Tomb Raider movie was met with mixed reviews that criticized its weak portrayal of the series' eponymous archaeologist. We noted in our review that MGM's Tomb Raider seems to blend elements from the game with the early 2000s Tomb Raider film adaptions, which didn't get the best of reviews.

The sequel to MGM's film was supposed to be released in 2021. In 2020, the film's director, Ben Wheaton, told the site that he is still committed to making the film, but it is "in the mists of Covidien." It is possible that the decision not to greenlight another Tomb Raider was a result of MGM being acquired by Amazon.

An animated Tomb Raider adaptation is in the works. Shadow of the Tomb Raider concluded the game's trilogy, which will lead to the series.