Production on Tomb Raider Series Suspended Following Sophie Turner Injury
Filming for Amazon Prime Video's highly anticipated Tomb Raider television adaptation has been temporarily halted after lead actress Sophie Turner sustained a minor injury during production. The 30-year-old Game of Thrones star, who portrays the iconic Lara Croft character, reportedly suffered the setback while working on the series, prompting producers to pause filming while she recovers.
Details of the On-Set Incident and Recovery Timeline
According to multiple reports, Turner's injury is described as minor, with sources indicating she could potentially return to the set within approximately two weeks. An Amazon MGM Studios spokesperson confirmed the temporary suspension, stating: "We look forward to resuming production as soon as possible." During this pause, crew members will continue to receive payment as preparations continue for when filming recommences.
Insiders have revealed that Turner had been managing a pre-existing back condition that deteriorated under the demanding physical requirements of portraying Lara Croft. "Sophie has been throwing herself into the role, but the gruelling physicality of being Lara Croft has meant she has pushed her body too far," a source explained to The US Sun.
Turner's Intensive Preparation for the Role
The actress had previously discussed her rigorous training regimen during interviews, revealing she had been training eight hours daily, five days per week since February of last year to prepare for the physically demanding role. On The Julia Cunningham Show, Turner disclosed: "We've been doing eight hours a day, five days a week, since February last year of training, so it's been a lot."
She further elaborated on her fitness journey, noting: "It's much easier to kind of build muscle if you've ever worked out before in your life. Which I never had. So it has taken me months and months and months to get into good shape. That's what I've learned." During this intensive preparation, Turner discovered she had a "perpetual back problem" that has now been aggravated by the physical demands of filming.
The Tomb Raider Series and Cast Details
The upcoming Amazon Prime Video series represents the latest live-action adaptation of the beloved video game franchise, with Turner becoming the third actress to portray Lara Croft in such adaptations, following Angelina Jolie's portrayal in the 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Alicia Vikander's performance in the 2018 Tomb Raider film.
Turner expressed her enthusiasm for the role in a January statement, saying: "I've been a long-time fan of Tomb Raider and the character of Lara. She has always felt for me, very emboldened in a male dominated world. She's a fierce female role model!"
The series features an impressive supporting cast including:
- Sigourney Weaver in an undisclosed role
- Jason Isaacs as Atlas DeMornay, Croft's uncle
- Bill Paterson as Winston, the long-serving Croft family butler
- Martin Bobb-Semple as Zip, Croft's tech support and friend
- Celia Imrie in an undisclosed role
Production Team and Development Status
The series is being developed by co-showrunners Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Chad Hodge, with Jonathan Van Tulleken (known for Dope Thief and Shogun) set to direct and executive produce. Filming had commenced earlier this year, with Turner spotted on set in the United Kingdom earlier this month.
Amazon MGM Studios provided fans with a first look at Turner as Lara Croft in January, generating significant excitement among Tomb Raider enthusiasts. Despite the current production pause, the studio remains committed to the project, though no official release date has been announced for the series.
This development comes as Turner continues to balance her professional commitments with personal life, sharing two daughters, Willa and Delphine, with her ex-husband Joe Jonas. The actress has recently appeared in HBO Max's The Staircase and the ITV/CW miniseries Joan, demonstrating her continued prominence in the entertainment industry.
