Critics of Embracer Group say that the holding company really lucked out when it managed to acquire all of Square Enix’s western studios (e.g., Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics) for only $300 million, but now it appears that the deal may be even more lucrative than anyone might have imagined.
According to an exclusive report from Fellowship of Fans, a Lord of the Rings fan site, Amazon has agreed to pay Embracer $600 million to lease the rights to the Tomb Raider franchise following the news from December about how Crystal Dynamics had entered into a development and publishing agreement with Amazon Games for its new, multi-platform Tomb Raider game, which is being built on Unreal Engine 5.
Recent reports can confirm that the Tomb Raider franchise is set to expand substantially under this deal with a new game, TV series, and movie in the works, all of which will be part of an interconnected universe, similar to Marvel Studios’ projects.
From a Fellowship of Fans report:
Embracer Group just sold (update: leased) their ‘Tomb Raider’ rights to Amazon for a deal that we can exclusively reveal as being approximately a 600 Million overall package making it Amazon’s second biggest commitment after purchasing the television rights for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’. Therefore, this puts into perspective the cost and (updated) commitments that Embracer maybe looking for.
The main report pertains to how Warner Bros. is set to lose the film rights for The Lord of the Rings, with Middle-earth Enterprises seeking a new rights holder that will presumably have “deep pockets.” (Amazon or Netflix are speculated as being potential candidates.)
Exit talks have begun between Middle-earth Enterprises (MEE) and Warner Brothers for the movie/ film rights for the ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ franchises. MEE have requested for WB to let go of the rights and exit their deal by the end of 2023 so they can begin the search and sale for new rights holders for the LOTR franchise. However, the notice was only just sent in and initial contacts made and this negotiation could take the whole year. The company ‘ACF’ is handling the exit talks with WB on the behalf of the Embracer Group who acquired Middle-earth Enterprises, a division of The Saul Zaentz Company earlier last year.