Tomb Raider gets movie and game reboot

Tomb Raider, which is already being rebooted in its original video game format, is now about to be resurrected for the big screen.

Square Enix, the company that owns the Tomb Raider game franchise, has just sold the movie rights to GK Films, which is aiming for a 2013 release.

Graham King, the producer of the new film said in a statement: "We are very excited to be rebooting what is already a hugely successful film franchise and continuing the Tomb Raider phenomenon." King said he hoped to "create daring new adventures for the young and dynamic Lara Croft", a remark that has been taken to mean he would be making an origins tale.

The Tomb Raider reboot will be the third film in the series, which starred Angelina Jolie as big-busted British archaeologist Lara Croft. The first film, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, was panned by critics when it came out in 2001, but grossed $275m worldwide, making it the second most successful videogame adaptation ever.

Tomb Raider: the Cradle of Life followed two years later, and although it received more favourable reviews, took a disappointing $157m.

The film rights to Tomb Raider are something of a hot property following the announcement in December of a new video game - the eleventh since the series debut in 1996 - to be titled simply, Tomb Raider.

Inevitably, the talk now is of "a far darker and more serious" film than the originals – a tone that would fit nicely into King's oeuvre, which includes movies like The Departed and Traffic.

There has been talk of a new Tomb Raider film for at least two years, with Megan Fox being touted as a possible Lara Croft. More recently, Tron: Legacy star Olivia Wilde was linked to the part, although the rumour was quickly denied.

As for who will play Croft now that King has acquired the rights, there is so far no word, although since the character is British – and virtually every other superhero role in the past few years has gone to an actor from these isles - perhaps Gemma Arterton wouldn't be a bad bet? ·