The 2018 Tomb Raider, which rebooted the film franchise with Alicia Vikander as adventurer Lara Croft, was modestly successful but apparently fell just shy of breaking even according to reports. This set the stage for a sequel in principle, but that sequel has encountered significant obstacles. At one point, a follow-up was tentatively scheduled (with director Ben Wheatley reportedly attached) but eventually the project was removed from release schedules.

Digging deeper, the sequel’s cancellation appears to stem from creative and financial clashes. According to several industry reports, the rights-holder studio (MGM) had concerns over the escalating budget, the rights owner (Square Enix) reportedly became impatient with long development, and there were “creative differences” among talent (including Vikander) and the would-be creative team. Thus, while many fans were looking forward to a “Tomb Raider 2” cinematic sequel in 2025, it appears that such a film is not currently proceeding in the way once hoped.

That said, the franchise has not been dormant. The animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft on Netflix picks up some of the mantle, premiered in October 2024 and has its second (and final) season set for December 11 2025. Meanwhile, a live-action series from Prime Video is also in development, with Sophie Turner cast as Lara Croft and Phoebe Waller‑Bridge as creator/show-runner. These expansions imply the franchise is shifting its focus from a straightforward film sequel to multi-platform storytelling.

For fans of the 2018 film, that means “Tomb Raider 2” as a big theatrical follow-up in 2025 is likely off the table. Instead, the future of Lara Croft on screen seems to be evolving in different formats. The animated series offers continuity and new adventure, and the upcoming live-action TV series promises a fresh interpretation. Meanwhile, the earlier announced sequel film is described as “scrapped” (or at least on indefinite hold) in various trade reports.

In summary: While the concept of “Tomb Raider 2 (2025)” may still circulate among fans and media speculation, the reality is that such a film is not moving forward right now. The character of Lara Croft is very much alive in other media, but the legacy film sequel awaits new impetus or a dramatic change before returning. If you’d like, I can look up the latest development (post-2025) and see if there’s renewed efforts for a sequel film or a new release date.