Production on new Tomb Raider film to begin 'immediately'

James Bond studio MGM has acquired the film rights to Tomb Raider and will develop a new film based on the franchise, the company has announced. As previously revealed, the movie will be made in partnership with GK Films, the company behind the Oscar-winning films The Departed and Argo, and is expected in 2013.

It appears MGM and GK Films are looking to make multiple movies based on Tomb Raider. The company said "the first film" will begin production immediately. No casting for the untitled movie has been announced.

Crystal Dynamics is reportedly working "closely" with GK Films instead of merely licensing off the rights.

"They are working from this new take that we've given them," Crystal Dynamics studio head Darrell Gallagher said of GK Films earlier this month. "It's a good partnership. We're seeing the challenges through the same lens."

Gallagher explained that the upcoming Tomb Raider film will not be a continuation of 2001's original Lara Croft: Tomb Raider or the 2003 follow-up Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, both of which starred Angelina Jolie.

Tomb Raider was released earlier this month for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. For more, check out GameSpot's review.