MGM is making significant moves on their sequel to Tomb Raider by setting a director and a release date for the film.
The studio has chosen Ben Wheatley to helm the project while a release date of March 19, 2021, is in place for the sequel. Wheatley previously directed the films Kill List and Free Fire, and he is in post-production on Rebecca for Working Title Films.
Also returning is its star, Alicia Vikander, who earned high praise for her portrayal of Lara Croft, even if the film itself was greeted with mixed reviews. Tomb Raider, released last year, only grossed $58.3 million on the domestic front but it was saved by a global box office of $274.7 million. At the time of its release, the $90-106 budgeted film reportedly needed $275 million worldwide to breakeven, a gross it didn’t quite reach but perhaps merchandising and the home release pulled in some profits that made a sequel possible.
Production on the sequel will begin early next year with Amy Jump taking on writing duties for the film.
