It’s been nearly 15 years since Lara Croft last graced the big screen—but the Tomb Raider heroine is about to make a big comeback. Taking over the role originated by fellow Oscar winner Angelina Jolie, Alicia Vikander will play Lara Croft in a Tomb Raider origin story drawing inspiration from Crystal Dynamics’ 2013 video game reboot of the franchise, and due to arrive in theaters in 2018. Here’s your exclusive first look at Vikander as Lara Croft:
So what can we expect from this new Tomb Raider? Between night shoots in South Africa, director Roar Uthaug agreed to an exclusive early interview about his adaptation of the popular video game franchise.
How far along are you in filming right now?
We are just wrapping up the South African portion of our location shoot and will proceed next to London.
Video game movies have a reputation for disappointing both critics and fans of the games. What will make your Tomb Raider different?
We drew a lot of inspiration and reference from the game and the entire Tomb Raider canon to develop our world, and I believe fans will recognize that. At the same time, this is a completely different theatrical approach to Lara Croft that will offer something new in the origin and development of the character. It’s a story that not only highlights her incredible physical accomplishments but delves deeper into her humanity.
Time to get a little hyped for 'Tomb Raider' and a lot hyped for its bad guy.
Other than the Tomb Raider franchise, what are your influences for the new movie?
I’m inspired by other modern action movies as well as classic survival movies. And I’m also trying to bring some of my European sensibilities when it comes to character development. Striving to combine all of this into a rollercoaster of a movie.
Have you seen the two Tomb Raider movies starring Angelina Jolie? If so, what do you think of them?
I’ve seen the films—they were a lot of fun and Angelina Jolie was a terrific Lara Croft. We are [making] a very different film, an origin story and I think fans will love Alicia in the role.
Audiences who aren’t familiar with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot game (and its 2015 sequel) have a very different mental image of Lara Croft. How will your movie reintroduce audiences to such a different take on the character?
As an origin story, this movie will introduce Lara as a young woman who hasn’t yet found her way and her place in the world; a young woman with great spirit and potential. We follow her struggles and her journey toward becoming the person she was meant to be and earning the role of Tomb Raider.
How closely will your movie echo the narrative of the 2013 Tomb Raider video game?
That game was certainly part of what inspired our film. I think fans will be delighted to discover many touchstones from the game throughout the story. At the same time, this is not the kind of video game adaptation you often see, with a lot of CGI and effects. Our movie takes a more realistic, grounded approach. Lara Croft is a hero and a champion but she is not a superhero. She is very much human, and we see her deal with that humanity in many ways.
Are you using any material from the 2015 game Rise of the Tomb Raider—the sequel to the 2013 video game reboot?
Again, this was one of the things that provided inspiration. I think fans will be delighted to discover elements of it in the story.
This is a story about Lara becoming the Tomb Raider, which means she’s totally inexperienced as the movie begins. How are you juggling her character growth with the need to deliver top-notch action scenes?
This is exactly what the movie is about. Our goal is to show the complete journey that Lara Croft takes, and that means acknowledging both the emotional and the physical aspects of her evolution. We meet her as a young woman who is strong but questioning her place in the world, through the trials that help her hone her skills, and finally, to the formidable—yet still vulnerable—woman she becomes, as the Tomb Raider.
In general, what’s your philosophy for directing a good action scene?
Action always serves the story and the character development. Our goal with Tomb Raider is the kind of action that feels real and visceral and will resonate with audiences in a powerful way. We want to put the audience right in the middle of the action.
How do the themes of exploration and survival play into the film’s narrative?
Lara is an explorer by nature. The inspiration for her journey is her search for answers. But it’s a dangerous journey as well, and survival is an integral part of it, as Lara is pushed to her physical and emotional limits time and again.
What, specifically, can you tell me about what Alicia Vikander brings to the role of Lara Croft?
Alicia is a truly great actress, and she lights up the screen as Lara Croft. She brings great depth and humanity to this character, and great passion, while simultaneously delivering the intense physical action that the role demands. I’m very impressed by her dedication to the part and her tireless pursuit to get everything right.
