We have a new Lara Croft.
Academy Award-winner Alicia Vikander has been cast as the beloved heroine at the heart of the TOMB RAIDER franchise for a reboot of the series that MGM, Warner Bros. and GK Films are partnering up on. THE WAVE's Roar Uthaug had been tapped to direct the relaunch, bringing Croft to her early days as archaeologist where she would embark on her first adventure.
The role of Croft had previously been held by Angelina Jolie for a pair of films (2001's LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER and 2003's TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE), but, after the second film was met with less box office interest than its predecessor, the brakes were pumped on the character's big-screen endeavors and the franchise was shelved until now.
Vikander is a name on the rise in Hollywood who would seem like a perfect fit for the role. First off, she has an Oscar to her name, which is always a nice thing to be able to advertise when it comes to your series' star. However, at the same time, she isn't yet an A-list name as far as the public is concerned, allowing her the opportunity to really blend into the Lara Croft character rather than overshadow her.
Last year was a big year for Vikander, turning out one hell of a performance in EX MACHINA (which arguably she should have been nominated for when it came to the Oscars) and then capturing the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress due to her turn in THE DANISH GIRL. She also rounded out her year as the female lead in THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Things only look to be getting bigger and better for her future.