Most of us were thrilled when Ex Machina actress Alicia Vikander, an Oscar winner for her role in The Danish Girl, landed the highly coveted role of Lara Croft in a big-budget remake of Tomb Raider, and now she’s gone on record to add yet another reason why she’s likely going to be a terrific fit for the part: Vikander’s a life-long fan.
Talking with Total Film, the actress revealed that she played the video games throughout her childhood – despite her parents being none-too-keen on that idea. “I kept it secret,” Vikander told the magazine.” I didn’t have many girlfriends who shared that interest, but I really loved it. I did play Tomb Raider back then, even though my parents said I wasn’t allowed to.”
Vikander adds that, in addition to being familiar with the property, she has the physicality necessary to pull off a grueling action-heroine part:
“I danced for many years. I really enjoy the aspect of being able to work with my physicality. In one way, I can probably do that unconsciously. But in this, it’s going to be a whole other level. It’s always wonderful when you get the chance to try things out that you never thought you would be able to do, to push yourself and your boundaries.”
It’s relieving to see that the actress is serious about the challenge of playing Lara Croft – though that’s not too surprising, given the amount of commitment Vikander brought to her two aforementioned breakout roles.
Norwegian helmer Roar Uthaug (disaster pic The Wave) is sitting behind the camera on Warner Bros.’ Tomb Raider reboot, which will purportedly serve as an origin story for Croft and take inspiration from Square Enix’s well-received new video games. Not that much else is known about it yet, but expect to see this one sometime in 2017.