Sophie Turner injured! Filming of the Tomb Raider series has been put on hold
Sigourney Weaver will also appear in the series
Filming of the highly anticipated "Tomb Raider" series has been interrupted. The reason for this is an injury to lead actress Sophie Turner, as Amazon confirmed in an official statement to the industry magazine Deadline.
Although it has not yet been officially clarified whether the "Game of Thrones" star sustained the injury directly on set, sources indicate that the forced break is expected to last around two weeks. A positive sign for the team on location: the crew will continue to be paid throughout the interruption.
The production of "Tomb Raider" only celebrated its official kick-off on January 15. To coincide with this, a first image was released showing Sophie Turner in her new role as iconic archaeologist Lara Croft. The video game adaptation is mainly being filmed in the UK. In addition to Turner, we will also get to see Sigourney Weaver and "Harry Potter" star Jason Isaacs, among others. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who was already responsible for the successful series "Fleabag", is the author. The director is Jonathan Van Tulleken, known for "Shōgun".
Lara Croft: The evolution of an icon between pixels and the big screen
When Lara Croft first flickered across screens in 1996, she changed the gaming world forever. What began as a British experiment by developer studio Core Design quickly developed into a global phenomenon. Today, in 2026, the archaeologist can look back on a thirty-year history in which she has not only plundered temples, but also broken down the boundaries between subculture and mainstream. Her cult status is closely linked to her ability to constantly reinvent herself.
The origin: a heroine breaks open male domains
In the 90s, the video game landscape was largely dominated by male protagonists. Lara Croft, with her distinctive pistols and iconic braided pigtail, set out to change this. However, her status as a sex symbol of early digitalization was both a curse and a blessing. While her design often seemed tailored to a male target group, her independence and strength inspired a whole generation of female gamers. Lara was the answer to Indiana Jones – only cooler, more acrobatic and without the help of a male protagonist. This early cult status was based on a mixture of technical innovation and a strong, almost unapproachable personality.
The leap to Hollywood: Angelina Jolie and the global phenomenon
The final accolade as a pop culture icon came in 2001 with the first major film adaptation. Angelina Jolie embodied the grave robber with such a pinpoint presence that the character and actress temporarily merged in the public perception.
Jolie gave the digital character a physical reality and a charismatic arrogance that took Lara Croft beyond the confines of the gaming room. Even though the films "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" and "The Cradle of Life" received a mixed reception from critics, they cemented Lara's status as a brand. She was no longer a mere avatar, but a franchise giant who signed advertising deals with car manufacturers and soft drink brands.
The modern legacy: from survivalist to series star
The reboot of the game series in 2013 marked a major shift in cult status. The "Survivor Trilogy" showed a more vulnerable, more human Lara. This new direction was also reflected in the 2018 film adaptation, in which Alicia Vikander embodied a more down-to-earth heroine. Here, it was less about aristocratic distance and more about the tough struggle for survival.
Lara Croft continues to consistently pursue this path of narrative depth today. With the Netflix animated series "The Legend of Lara Croft" launched in 2024 and the live-action series from Amazon Prime Video announced for 2026, in which Sophie Turner takes on the title role, the cult has reached a new dimension. The character is increasingly portrayed as a complex heroine with an emotional past who is far more than just an agile treasure hunter.
Conclusion: Timeless relevance in a digital world
Why is Lara Croft still a legend after three decades? Because she has kept up with the changes in society. From the pixelated pin-up character of the 90s to the action icon of the 2000s to the profound adventurer of the present day, she has proven that she can adapt without losing her core.
The film adaptations have played a crucial role in this: they kept Lara in the conversation when the game breaks became too long, and made her a character that everyone knows – regardless of whether you've ever held a controller in your hand or not. Lara Croft remains the face of adventure, a timeless icon who shows that legends never really rest.