'Tomb Raider' Reboot To Explore Ruins In 2013

Like it or not, Tomb Raider heroine Lara Croft has become an internationally-recognized icon. Present an attractive brunette with a long ponytail, tight t-shirt, short shorts and a couple of pistols and enough people will recognize Croft to plunk down a few bucks to watch her explore ruins and fight off bad guys. Or that's the idea, at least, and the reason that Graham King's GK Films — the company that financed The Tourist — is preparing a Tomb Raider reboot aimed for 2013.

The company announced the plan in a press release (via Deadline), saying that " the films will create daring new adventures for the young and dynamic Lara Croft."

Yep, that said films, and young Lara Croft — in other words, Angelina Jolie probably will not return to play the character, despite her relationship with GK Films. Instead we'll see a younger and cheaper actress in the lead role. Paramount previously put out the two Tomb Raider films that helped make the actress a global sensation, but the Tomb Raider rights went back to game publisher Eidos a couple years back. Now GK Films will take a crack, and is potentially timing the first new film for the same time period in which a prequel game will be released.

No writer or director has been announced.

Despite the fact that a great many people know the character Lara Croft when they see her, I have no idea if this is a movie franchise people actually want to see. I suspect that with an attractive cast and a trailer that looks exciting it probably won't matter, and brand awareness will kick in. Where do you stand — is Tomb Raider a franchise worth reviving?