Prime Video has announced that production for the new Tomb Raider series is now officially underway.

In addition, it also teased audiences by releasing the first-look image of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft.

In the photo, the 29-year-old English actress dons the iconic Lara Croft outfit, with a dark teal top, tight fit shorts, and belt with twin gun holsters.

Turner is known for her appearance in the Game of Thrones series, as well as her portrayal of Jean Grey in two X-Men movies.

Based on the legendary video game franchise, the series follows the globe-trotting adventures of the world-famous archaeologist and reimagines the beloved character for a new generation.

Aside from Turner, the upcoming series stars the following actors:

• Sigourney Weaver
• Jason Isaacs
• Martin Bobb-Semple
• Jack Bannon
• John Heffernan
• Bill Paterson
• Paterson Joseph
• Sasha Luss
• Juliette Motamed
• Celia Imrie
• August Wittgenstein

Phoebe Waller-Bridge leads the series production, serving as creator, writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner.

She is joined by Chad Hodge as co-showrunner and executive producer. Meanwhile, Jonathan Van Tulleken will serve as director and producer.

In Eat Pray Love, recent divorcee Liz Gilbert goes on a journey of self-discovery by travelling to Italy, India, and Bali. Someone should tell Gilbert that Japan is everyone’s preferred Eat Pray Love destination these days. Today, tourists from all over the world like going to Japan because of its different, almost perfect serene, culture.

However, the truth of Japan is less romantic than what’s shown in travelogues: absurd working hours, not enough time for personal life, and societal pressures to do only what’s expected. It’s this Japan that Rental Family wants you to see.

Truths

In Rental Family, Brendan Fraser plays Phillip Vanderploeg, a struggling American actor living in Japan. After failing to land a gig outside of the odd commercial here and there, an unconventional opportunity suddenly lands on his lap: to work for a rental family agency, which provides stand-ins for social situations. In one case, Philip pretends to be a young woman’s groom, so her family doesn’t ask questions when she moves and starts a life of her own in Canada.

It’s no surprise that Philip exclaims a loud “the f*ck?” when he first realizes what the firm does. Aiko (Mari Yamamoto), one of his colleagues, explains that this is how Japan works. Instead of paying for therapy, the Japanese people would rather pay for someone to pretend for them. For an outsider looking in, the practice seems strange, but it’s real. Rental family agencies have been around for a while.

Despite Aiko’s insistence that this is a Japanese phenomenon, Philip eventually understands that these agencies provide something more than just a country-exclusive need: the desire to be seen and to be heard.

Rental Family is a film that speaks to everyone. Often, we need someone to fill those gaps in our lives: a missing father, a missing lover, a missing friend. It’s a truth that should feel self-evident, but the film remains a poignant reminder of whatever, whoever is missing in our lives. We see ourselves in Kikuo Hasegawa (Akira Emoto), a retired actor who just wants a friend before his memory withers away. We see ourselves in Mia Kawasaki (Shannon Mahina Gorman), a young girl whose father left her.

And lies

Philip plays a multitude of roles: a father, a journalist, a cheerleader, a groom, a friend. It’s his job to play a role so credible that his client believes in the illusion. Essentially, he’s a professional liar.

However, Philip finds himself also believing in the same lies he’s crafted. He gets attached to a few of his clients, especially Mia whom he quickly becomes close to, as if as her real father. Even when his boss Shinji (Takehiro Hira) tells him not to get too personal with his clients, he cares for them beyond his initial assignment.

It’s the lie that makes the movie so believable. Who among us has never felt inadequate to play a certain role? Too incompetent to be a father, a lover, and a friend?

Ironically, the one who plays the part most authentically is the one person willing to build the lie, Philip. He becomes a better companion to their clients than the people closest to them. As the saying goes, “fake it ‘till you make it.”

Sometimes, the mask slips. Sometimes, Philip’s boss warns him that he’s too close, or a client ends the relationship themselves. When this happens, Philip has to confront the lie, which can mean that he tells his client that he was lying.

And yet, he doesn’t leave as if it’s just the conclusion of a deal. He opens up and makes himself vulnerable. He confronts what he did and promises to do better. Lying is easier, and we lie all the time. We tell ourselves that we’re the best at what we do. If we do it enough, we start to believe.

But Rental Family is about the truth behind the lie. An untruth can be the foundation, but a relationship only truly prospers with being vulnerable. It’s about realizing that, just as the other person needs us, we also need them. We’re all rental families in our own way.

Netflix has officially revealed the “Rise Of The Baroques” teaser trailer of One Piece: Into the Grand Line.

The action-packed trailer puts focus on the dangerous and formidable secret society, the Baroque Works.

There was a lot of screen time for Lera Abova, excelling as Miss All-Sunday. This includes a conversation with Monkey D. Luffy wherein she warns the Straw Hats leader of possible dangers.

The clip then shifts to most of the explosive action that is about to unfold in the season, including the perilous quests the Straw Hats are about to take on as they sail into the Grand Line.

Courtesy: Netflix

In the process, the teaser trailer has revealed the additional cast playing the other Baroque Works members:

• Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday
• Lera Abova as Nico Robin/Miss All-Sunday
• David Dastmalchian asMr. 3
• Camrus Johnson asMr. 5
• Jazzara Jaslyn as Miss Valentine
• Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9
• Sophia Anne Caruso as Miss Goldenweek

Season 2 of the Netflix live-action adaptation of One Piece officially sets sail on March 10.

In this season, a the Straw Hat pirates search for the world’s greatest treasure, they will encounter bizarre islands and a host of formidable new enemies.

The series stars Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Taz Skylar, Emily Rudd, and Jacob Romero. Watch the “Rise Of The Baroques” trailer below: