The Tracking Board is reporting on a rumor that Warner Bros. might have a shortlist of directors in mind to replace Walking Dead‘s Tricia Brock, who apparently has just passed on the new Tomb Raider reboot. The three names include Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Point Break, Near Dark), Mimi Leder (The Leftovers, Peacemaker, Almost Human, Shameless), and Catherine Hardwicke.
We know that Bigelow has publicly trashed superhero projects previously on Real Time with Bill Maher, but this new incarnation of Tomb Raider might be a little more up to her standards as it focuses on a slightly grounded hero. This also wouldn’t be crazy as her former creative partner/screenwriter Mark Boal is helping out with another video game film via Sony’s Uncharted movie, another slightly more grounded adventure project.
Another reason for her to agree to make a studio project, it would allow her to setup a deal with Warner Bros. to fund and distribute her future projects. Her next project is include a film centred around POW Bowe Bergdahl. It’s possible WB could help fast-track future projects like this once she makes something like Tomb Raider. They’ve made similar deals with Christopher Nolan and Ben Affleck in the past.
I had previously mentioned that Bigelow would be one of my choices to take over for Sam Mendes on the next Daniel Craig Bond film, or to help introduce the next 007 actor, Idris Elba anyone? I think this new Lara Croft might be a bit more attractive for directors, since she doesn’t have super powers and has more in common with Indiana Jones, along with her more tongue-and-cheek feature Point Break.
SOURCE: TRACKING BOARD