‘Kill List’ and ‘Free Fire’ filmmaker, Ben Wheatley has signed on the dotted line to take over the director’s chair on MGM’s upcoming ‘Tomb Raider’ sequel.

Wheatley takes over the hot seat from Roar Uthaug who directed the first in 2018. Amy Jump is onboard to write the sequel’s script, while Graham King and Elizabeth Cantillon will produce. Alicia Vikander will also return to reprise her role as Lara Croft.

The 2018 reboot saw Vikander take over the role of Lara Croft from Angelina Jolie who fronted the original films back in 2001 and the sequel in 2003.  Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, and Kristin Scott Thomas all starred in the reboot which saw Croft embarking on a perilous journey to discover what happened to her eccentric Father. Journeying to his last-known destination – a fabled tomb on a mythical island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. The stakes were higher as Lara had to rely on her sharp mind, blind faith and stubborn spirit to venture into the unknown.

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Having met with mixed reactions the film still grossed $274 million worldwide failing to beat but equaling Jolie’s original.

Wheatley first gained recognition and acclaim for his commercials and short films, before transitioning into feature films and television programmes. His best-known works include ‘Kill List, ‘Free Fire’ and the J. G. Ballard adaptation ‘High-Rise’. He is currently in post-production of ‘Rebecca’.

Production is due to commence in early 2020 with a view to a March 19th 2021 release date.