Unlike Angelina Jolie,Alicia Vikanderwas never able to reprise her role as Lara Croft in aTomb Raidersequel. Back in 2018, Vikander took over the role of the tomb-raiding adventurer in theTomb Raiderfilm directed by Roar Uthaug. For years, there were plans to make a sequel, though the project continuously went through changes before making any real traction. In 2021, Misha Green was signed on to write and direct the film, and the sequel’s progress were starting to look good with Vikander also set to return as Lara Croft. However, it was revealed the following year that the movie had been canceled as MGM hadn’t given it the green light in time, causing the studio to lose the rights.
Vikander has since been working on new projects, and her newest film,Firebrand, is holding its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. While speaking withVarietyat the event, Vikander touched on the canceledTomb Raidersequel, recalling how that had “crushed” her at the time. She explains how that was basically a dream role for her and that the film getting canceled when it seemed so close to starting production made the whole thing hurt that much more. While her time as Lara Croft is over, Vikander notes how the experience has left her open to doing similar action-heavy roles.
As Vikander explains:
“I mean, I thought we were very much [good to go]; we had a director and writer. But yeah, for me, that was another one of those childhood dreams — to portray an action character was awesome, and beyond what I ever thought I would do. And I think the physical part is something that I really enjoyed. So, yeah, if another opportunity like that came again, I’ll be interested.”
Related:Michaela Jaé Rodriguez Explains Why She Wants to Play Lara Croft in a Tomb Raider Movie
Tomb Raider Gets Rebooted by Amazon
After MGM lost the rights toTomb Raider, they were picked up by Amazon Studios. It was announced earlier this year that there are big plans at Amazon forTomb Raider, and that includes havingIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinystar Phoebe Waller-Bridge write aTomb Raiderseries for Prime Video. There have also been reports that a newTomb Raidermovie will be separately developed, though it will tie into the Prime Video series, as well as new video games that will also be made. Nobody has yet been cast as Lara Croft for these newTomb Raiderprojects.
The video game franchise was previously adapted in 2001 as the feature filmLara Croft: Tomb Raider, which was directed by Simon West and starred Angelina Jolie as the titular tomb raider. She would return as Lara in the 2003 sequelLara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, with Jan de Bont in the director’s chair. There had been reports of a potential third installment getting made that were later abandoned when Jolie declined to return for a third time.
