A runaway hit,Terminator Zerohas proven that Netflix has what it takes to revitalize beloved franchises, which is great news for another adaptation that’s coming to the streaming platform in October 2024. In fact,Netflix’s thoughtful anime is the bestTerminatorinstallmentthat’s been released inyears. Launched in 1984 with James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd’s original sci-fi action film, the franchise has spawned sixTerminatormoviesas well as plenty of other media. Despite a solid effort fromTerminator: Dark Fate,theTerminatorseries has felt a bit stale as it rehashes familiar time-travel plots.
Time and again, theTerminatorinstallments center on Sarah and John Connor’s attempts to thwart Judgment Day — the moment that Skynet, a self-aware and hostile AI, decides to launch a nuclear exchange and kick off the war between humanity and machines. While some narrative beats remain the same,Terminator Zero’s cast of charactersis completely fresh. Excitingly,Terminator Zerofinally calls out Skynet’s ridiculous planand explains the rules of time travel in a way thatactuallymakes sense. In a big-picture sense,Terminator Zeroproves that animated series can revitalize tired-yet-beloved franchises.
Netflix’s The Legend Of Lara Croft Looks To Be A Great Tomb Raider Adaptation
Terminator Zero Proves That Netflix’s Anime-Style Adaptations Can Be Massive Hits
Outside the video game realm, theTomb Raiderfranchise has been dormant for several years, but Netflix plans to change all of that withTomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. LikeTerminator Zero, Netflix’sThe Legend of Lara Croftis an anime-style series that re-imagines a beloved property. While not too much is known about the upcomingTomb RaiderTV show,Hayley Atwell is set to voice Lara Croft, the highly intelligent, gun-toting archaeologistat the series' center. Instead of reinventing the wheel entirely,The Legend of Lara Croftis taking cues from some other entries.
Alicia Vikander’s 2018Tomb Raidermovie attempted to breathe new life into the franchise’s non-video game adaptations…
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
This animated series follows the iconic tomb-raider Lara Croft as she embarks on thrilling adventures, exploring ancient civilizations and uncovering hidden secrets. Balancing intellect and physical prowess, Lara navigates treacherous environments and encounters formidable adversaries, all while striving to protect the world’s archaeological treasures.
In terms of the ever-changingTomb Raidertimeline,The Legend of Lara Croftis set in the same continuity as theSurvivortrilogy.TheTomb Raiderreboot trilogy began in 2013with the critically acclaimedTomb Raider, before expanding to include 2015’sRise of the Tomb Raiderand 2018’sShadow of the Tomb Raider. That said, Atwell’s Lara Croft series will bridge the reboot trilogy and the originalTomb Raidergames. Aside from theSurvivortrilogy, Alicia Vikander’s 2018Tomb Raidermovie attempted to breathe new life into the franchise’s non-video game adaptations, but never got a sequel.
Legend Of Lara Croft Can Do For Tomb Raider What Terminator Zero Has Done For Terminator
The Lastest Netflix Anime Can Combine Familiar & Fresh Ideas To Breathe New Life Into A Waning Franchise
Terminator Zero’s global successproves that Netflix can reignite fans' interest in theTomb Raiderfranchise with its anime adaptation. Although theTomb Raidervideo games reached new heights with the 2013–18 reboot trilogy, the franchise’s adaptations have struggled to find their footing. Apart from Vikander’scasting as Lara Croft, the 2018 flick received mixed reviews, so, despite its $274.7 million, it never landed a sequel installment. A TV series, and an animated one at that, feels like the perfect way to breathe new life into the video-game-based franchise. Still,Tomb Raiderhas some obstacles to overcome.
Upcoming Tomb Raider Live-Action Show Sounds Exciting, But I’m Still Disappointed This Great Lara Croft Won’t Return
Alicia Vikander’s stint as Lara Croft has officially ended. Tomb Raider 2 could have been given her the opportunity to make more of the character.
Unlike theTerminatorfranchise, which is more open to reinvention,Tomb Raiderneeds to center on its titular archaeologist. WhileTerminator Zeroswaps Skynet for the new AI Kokoro,The Legend of Lara Croftcan’t just change its protagonist. Additionally, the Netflix series has been firm aboutwhere in theTomb Raidertimelineit takes place. Not only does the show have to work within pre-existing canon, butit must serve as a lead-in to Lara Croft’s original ’90s adventures. Of course, those limitations are a small price to pay considering how fresh the animation medium will feel.
The Legend Of Lara Croft Isn’t The Only Upcoming Tomb Raider TV Show
Tomb Raider Doesn’t Show Any Signs Of Slowing Down
In more great news forTomb Raiderfans,the Netflix anime isn’t the only adaptation that’s in the works. WhileNetflix’sTomb Raiderrecast Lara Croft’s voice actor, an upcoming TV series by Amazon Prime Video plans to replace Vikander’s version of the character with a new live-action actor. Another joint venture between a streaming platform and Crystal Dynamics,Amazon’s untitled live-actionTomb Raiderserieswill be penned by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag,Killing Eve).
Netflix’s Tomb Raider Sequel Continues A Great Video Game Adaptation Streak And I’m Here For It
Netflix’s new Tomb Raider show will release later this year, and it is continuing a very exciting animated video game adaptation streak.
Much likeTerminator Zero, Netflix’sTomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Crofthas the potential to be a massive global hit when it premieres on July 07, 2025. If it succeeds, the anime series will have set up Amazon’s series for success too. All of this to say,Tomb Raider’s non-video game installments are about to revamp the beloved franchise.
