I was pleased to hear recently that a re-boot of the Tomb Raider franchise is under way.
GK Films now own the rights, previously owned by Mutual Film company, to the adventures of Lara Croft and have hired Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby to pen the screenplay. Their previous credits include Iron Man, Children of Men and the forthcoming Cowboys & Aliens so I am hoping for a better script that the previous Tomb Raider outings. A change of production company also means a change of producer so Graham King (The Departed, Rango, The Aviator, Blood Diamond and The Tourist) and Tim Headington (Edge of Darkness, The Young Victoria, The Tourist) are in charge of getting this next instalment off the ground, which will be a prequel and will go back to the origins of Lara.
The original Tomb Raider (2001) featured Angelina Jolie in a very pivotal role for her both career wise and personal life. Whilst the film itself may have had its flaws, it remains one of my personal faves of all time for many reasons.....it starred Angelina (enough said)....it was directed by Simon West (director of Con-Air, one of the best action films of all time) and was based on one of my favourite games of all time. It was the first motion picture in 35 years to be allowed access for filming in Cambodia, primarily in Angkor Wat and that stay in Cambodia was to change Ms Jolie's life forever and started her journey into adoption.
Angelina definitely captured the essence of Lara Croft in both Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and the sequel The Cradle of Life but both films suffered from a weak script so this recent news gives the re-boot some hope. According to reports the film is scheduled for release in 2013 but no confirmation on casting has been given. Lets just hope that rumours in recent months suggesting Megan Fox and Kim Kardashian are completely false because I believe that this would kill the franchise stone dead.
If the producers are reading this (unlikely but you never know) then can I make a few suggestions of who I think would make a very good leading lady....
Missy Peregrym - The Canadian born actress is more known for her TV work than film roles but has more than proved her acting chops and also has the athleticism needed for the role.
Mila Kunis - Probably more recently known for her supporting roles in Black Swan and Book of Eli, not a lot of people know she played the part of a young Angelina in
Gia. Not only does she look like a young Angelina (great for continuity) but she is a an excellent actress and could more than portray the role of a young Lara Croft.
Katie McGrath - Best known for her role in BBC's Merlin, Kate is a Dublin born actress who hasn't done a great deal of film or TV work but can do a great English accent - essential for the role of Lara.
Romola Garai - A classic English rose whose credits include Vanity Fair, Atonement, TV Mini Series Emma, and more recently The Crimson Petal and the White. She's not exactly a household name but I think that is what is needed for the Tomb Raider franchise to be re-born. It's no good just getting an actress just because she is well known. To portray Lara properly the actress needs to be strong, have a level of vulnerability, be intelligent and most of all......be able to kick ass......which brings me to my last suggestion...
Emily Browning - If anyone can kick ass its Emily Browning. Most recently seen as Baby Doll in Sucker Punch (I actually loved this film and will actually say it out loud with friends....I have no shame). She proved herself in Lemony Snickets and then seemed to disappear from the screens until 2009's The Uninvited. This Australian actress is slowly making quite a name for herself in the film world and I reckon could bring a lot to Tomb Raider table.
For more information on Lara and anything else Tomb Raider related you could do a lot worse than head over to
Codename-Croft. This site has everything you need to know regarding Ms Croft and is the most authoritative Tomb Raider site on the net.
