Ben Wheatley will switch seats with Roar Uthaug to direct a sequel to Tomb Raider according to Deadline‘s Mike Fleming Jr. Cameras are expected to roll in early 2020 and will have actress Alicia Vikander reprising the title role based on the longstanding game centered on the heroic treasure hunter and survivalist, Lara Croft.
Wheatley will direct from a script by Amy Jump, marking a continuing film partnership listing shared credits like Kill List (2011), Sightseers (2012), A Field In England (2013), High-Rise (2016) and Free Fire (2017). The two also have sci-fi actioner, Freak Shift, coming from Wheatley’s Rook Films banner which also stars Vikander, as well as Armie Hammer and Sasha Lane.
Uthaug’s handling of Tomb Raider for its release last year drew $275 million dollars. MGM has stamped a March 19, 2021 release, gladly leaving a little wiggle room for New Line’s own forthcoming live-action based-on-a-video-game thriller, Mortal Kombat (March 5, 2021).