Vikander has Tomb Raider Fever
Friday, April 29, 2016 at 8:00AM 
In an unexpected bit of casting, Alicia Vikander was just announced to be taking over as Lara Croft in the reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise. Original whispers of Daisy Ridley accepting the role weren't meant to be and instead the reigning Best Supporting Actress winner will be taking on the bodacious archaelogist.
The delightful happenstance of the casting is that Croft was also the first post-Oscar high-profile role choice Angelina Jolie (who played Croft in 2001 and 2003). For Jolie it was her launch pad into the bonafide box office draw that she still is today, so perhaps this could be a similar vehical for Vikander. Does this mean that the inevitable rereboot will be played by the Best Supporting Actress winner of 2032?
Only supporting actress winners can be Lara Croft.
— Brian Duffield (@BrianDuffield) April 29, 2016
Croft is a character we remember more for appearance than for any facet of her personality, so the casting choice is an odd fit. Vikander excels when playing with more emotional depth than what a video game adaptation will likely require of her - but her Ex Machina performance did show that she can give intelligent physical precision to roles that require less from her emotionally.
This summer, she'll costar in Jason Bourne, hopefully hinting at her action star potential if she can get in on the asskicking unlike previous Bourne ladies. Also this July, Vikander returns to costume drama territory with Tulip Fever. The film debuted footage at last year's Cannes, but we finally get our eyes on it with the lush and steamy trailer released this week:
What do you think of Alicia as Lara? What other Best Supporting Actress would you put in the role?
Reader Comments (14)
Okay, I've played the 2013 version. Considering the director is Roar Uthaug, something like that is probably what they're going for. So, Vikander? Yep. I buy it.
Judi Dench will inevitably receive an eighth Oscar nomination and certainly should be contending for a second win. I think they'll double up her recognition in supporting. Like previous two Best Supporting Actress winners, she'll have three nominations total in the category.
How long must we wait for Dianne Wiest as Lara Croft!?
Never seen or played the game, but I love Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. I'd love to be Lara.
1. She has a gorgeous English country house, but she doesn't have a boring Downton Abbey life in it. It's arranged for things she likes to do. I adore her staff, Noah Taylor and the Red Dwarf guy.
2. She's super-smart, well-educated, multi-lingual, has a fantastic library.
3. She's adventurous and fearless, skilled martial artist, active and ready.
Oh, and she's beautiful in her own unique way, fashionable and rich. And Jolie makes all this look believable. I don't understand how such an appealing vision is dismissed.
I only hope that in Vikander's version, they keep the super smart part.
Do all things by actors need to be Oscar considered
Do all things by actors need to be Oscar considered?
Streep certainly thinks so.
As usual, the above poster is wrong. Random lashing out, myopic obsession and petty jealousy are so unbecoming.
I would not choose this role for Alicia, because she just won an Oscar and Lara Croft is a popcorn movie role that has already been played by Angelina Jolie of all people. What on earth can Alicia bring to this role, and why bother? Good luck.
/3rtful
Boy... when you are wrong, you are really wrong!!!
( I know everyone ignores your comments, and I have for a long time, but just could not resist )
Maybe Rachel Weitz could have been a good Lara in another life.
Well, at least the British chick from the fifth season of Californication (now a regular on Grey's Anatomy got to play her in the recent games. She's my favorite. :)
Angelina's films were stupid but in an alternate universe they would have been great as she was a perfect fit for that character.
I love Alicia (specifically in Ex Machina and A Royal Affair ) but she is wrong wrong wrong for this character.
Is this the new Spideman for girls? They are making a new series of Hunger Games films with new actors because we like cartoons now? THAT is Goldie Hawn in Death Becomes Her! I wanna talk about ...
Anonny: 1996-2012 versions? Yeah. 2013-now version? Could do well.
Alicia will be a major star. I love how she is completely playing the field regarding casting, and she will not be predictable in any way. Good on her.