Wednesday 3 July 2013

Casting Call: Lara Croft (Tomb Raider Reboot)

2013's Tomb Raider reboot

Ever since Square Enix released their reboot of the Tomb Raider game franchise in March to widespread critical acclaim, speculation has been building as to whether this would lead to a new film franchise; critics and fans alike were big fans of the gritty realism Lara Croft's latest console adventure offered and so talk of film that reboots her silver screen likeness has built in recent months.

With news was preliminary work on a new Tomb Raider reboot was already in progress, the big question now is this; who should take up the tomb raiding duties from Angelina Jolie? Well, here's a quick short-list of actresses who I think could take on the role...


Camilla Luddington

Known for: Playing Kate Middleton in a TV-movie on Wills and Kate

She's been there, done that, got the t-shirt
She may not have many film credits to her name (she's best known for her multiple TV roles in Grey's Anatomy, True Blood and Californication), but she has more experience with playing Lara Croft that anyone else you'll find on this list; Ms. Luddington lent her crisp English accent to Lara in the very same video game that has inspired movie execs at MGM to think about making a film.

One of the games greatest strengths was the impressive voice acting, so let's face it, Ms. Luddington is already halfway there.Not only that but she looks the part; she could pull of Lara Croft fairly easily I reckon. 

The only question mark whether she could pull it off throughout an entire feature film rather than standing behind a microphone for a game.


Gemma Arterton 

Known for: Getting all oiled up as Agent Fields in Quantum of Solace


After her supporting roles in varying degrees of crap like Quantum of Solace, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, Clash of the Titans and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Gemma Arterton seriously needs to fire her agent and get herself a seriously meaty lead role along the lines of Lara Croft.

She's been getting some good reviews for her acting in Byzantium (she plays a sexy vampire), so a role that mixes this emerging acting prowess with her proven arse-kicking skills could be the trigger that launches her into the Hollywood A-list.

She ticks many of the boxes required to play Lara Croft. Firstly (and probably most importantly), she's English and has the posh accent to match. She also looks the part to boot. What's not to love? Well, at 27 she might be a touch to old for a younger, more innocent take on Lara Croft. 


Emma Watson

Known for: Witching it up in Harry Potter

This might be wishful thinking on my part, but think about it; Emma Watson would suit Tomb Raider pretty well.

Not only is she a household name that would sell the new movie on her name alone, she's also often voted high in "Sexiest Woman Alive" polls and she's got the acting chops to pull off the 'vulnerable, innocent' character from the new game. Just check out her role as Sam in The Perks of Being A Wallflower if you need any convincing.

Whether Ms. Watson is interested in taking on another mega-franchise is another question entirely - she's been laying low since Potter wrapped up in 2011.

Since graduating from the Hogwarts School of Withcraft and Wizardry, Watson has starred in lower-key, more indie productions that aren't action or CG heavy so taking on a potentially big franchise might not be the direction she wants to head.

Regardless, I still think she'd be fantastic as Lara Croft; please MGM, make this happen.


Hayley Atwell

Known for: Representing Great Britain in Marvel's Uncle Sam 'fest, Captain America.

Much like the lovely ladies discussed above, Hayley Atwell is the kind of actress who would fit into the role of Lara Croft without much trouble.

After playing the prim and proper (but kind of sassy) Peggy Carter in Captain America: The First Avengers, Atwell has been on many people's minds as taking the role of Lara Croft to the big screen once again.

She's got the face, the voice, the acting credentials. She's also little known which would please movie executives who are looking for an actress who isn't a bigger name than Lara Croft is herself. At 31 however, she might be a touch too old for an origin story. Lara in the game is 17-18 so it might be a little bit of a stretch of the imagination.

With a schedule that is looking pretty empty once her role in Captain America: The Winter Solider wraps up, bagging an iconic role such as this would pretty much shoot Atwell into the stratosphere of Hollywood. Look what it did for Angelina Jolie...


Anna Kendrick

Known for: Being good at singing in Pitch Perfect and playing Stacey in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

The first non-British gal on this here list, Anna Kendrick is starting to make a name for herself with some big roles in the last year or so.

In 2012, she pretty much took off; from taking centre stage in the surprisingly well-received Pitch Perfect to a supporting role in What to Expect When Your Expecting and lending her voice to the kooky animation that was ParaNorman, Kendrick is practically something of a household name. 

A good pick for Lara Croft then? Sure, why not. She's an emerging up-and-comer that might fit the role reasonably well.

There are few little niggles; I mean, she's American so putting on a convincing British accent could be a challenge (I mean, Jolie's was a little shabby to start off with) and she's also, much like Atwell and Arterton, in her late-twenties to early-thirties.

Ideally, MGM are going to be looking for an actress who can look the part of an late-teens Lara Croft. Kendrick might be making a name for herself, but there might be better options out there.

Yvonne Strahovski 

Known for: having that gravity defying arse in Mass Effect 2 and 3. Alright, it's not her arse, she's a character in a video game but whatever. Oh, and playing that chick in Chuck.

Okay so this one might be a bit of a long-shot but I reckon she'd be a good pick. She's a good actress who isn't adverse to putting on an accent or two (she's Australian in real-life) and has the good-looks to be Lara Croft.

Yes, she's too old to play an origin story but I can overlook that little niggle if it means we get a decent Tomb Raider film fronted by an attractive and talented gal like Yvonne.

4 comments:

  1. Continue the wonderful good article, I just read couple of articles about this web page and i believe that the blog is rattling intriguing and consists of sets of helpful information.

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    1. Awesome, thanks for the feedback! Glad you liked the article, be sure to subscribe and check back for more soon!

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  2. Camilla Luddington is 29 so she's one of the oldest actresses on the list.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Good point! I didn't realise, oops! Thanks for letting me know.

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