By Juli Scarr
Tomb Raider is quietly becoming one of Amazon’s biggest bets, and now a familiar sci-fi face might join the adventure. According to Variety, who confirmed the report originally surfaced at Deadline, Sigourney Weaver is in talks to appear in the upcoming series, starring Sophie Turner as Lara Croft. Nothing is signed yet, but news of her possible involvement spread quickly. When you hear her name, you think of Alien, Avatar and that unmistakable screen presence. It is not often a project like this attracts someone with that kind of legacy. It reminded me how unusual it is to see game adaptations pull in actors who defined blockbuster eras on the big screen.
If the deal closes, she would sit alongside Turner, who was confirmed last year as the new Lara. Amazon has been keeping character details under wraps, so we do not know who Weaver would portray. Even so, the casting direction alone suggests Amazon is aiming for more than just a straightforward adaptation. Bringing in someone with Weaver’s resume signals intent. You do not recruit Ellen Ripley unless you want the industry to pay attention.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, known for Fleabag and Killing Eve, is writing and executive producing the series. She is also co-showrunning with Chad Hodge, with Jonathan van Tulleken directing episodes. Crystal Dynamics and Story Kitchen are deeply involved, which should reassure fans that the game side of Tomb Raider is not being sidelined. I appreciate when adaptations respect the source creators instead of treating them like a name on a box.
What Weaver’s Involvement Suggests for Amazon’s Tomb Raider
Weaver’s career has been packed with iconic genre work, so this potential move feels fitting. She recently appeared in Avatar: Fire and Ash, is heading into a Star Wars film, and somehow keeps finding roles that define eras. Seeing someone with that history dip into Tomb Raider gives the project weight. It also gives Turner an interesting dynamic partner to play off of. A veteran next to a lead stepping into one of gaming’s most recognizable roles could give the show energy instead of a single-star focus.
Amazon’s Adaptation Effort Continues to Take Shape
Amazon greenlit Tomb Raider back in 2024 as part of a long-term partnership with Crystal Dynamics to develop games, movies and series. The involvement of Story Kitchen, alongside Legendary Television, hints that Tomb Raider is not intended as a one-off. It also lines up with a trend where big streamers chase gaming IP, especially after Fallout proved there is real appetite for adaptations done well. That said, it still comes down to execution. The adaptation needs compelling storytelling that respects Lara’s journey without repeating the film versions or leaning too heavily on game nostalgia.
Personally, the Weaver news got me curious. I did not expect someone with that résumé to circle Tomb Raider, and it makes me wonder whether Amazon has a bigger pitch tucked away. If Weaver signs on, I would love to see her as a mentor figure or a powerful rival. That is just speculation, but her casting alone gives the show a different texture. Genre icons tend to change a project’s tone without even trying.
It also arrives just days before the Game Awards, where Tomb Raider is expected to appear again following its earlier reveal. So this bit of news lands at a good time for anyone tracking the adaptation’s progress.
We will keep watching to see if her negotiations turn into a deal. If it happens, Tomb Raider jumps a few spots on my radar. What do you think? Does the idea of Weaver joining the series make you more interested in watching, or are you waiting to see footage first?