After two films being Lara Croft, Angelina Jolie left the character and actress Alicia Vikander was chosen. The new installment of the Tomb Raider saga premiered in the year 2018, with the help of Warner Bros and with Roar Uthaug as a director, who opted for a more realistic approach: Vikander’s character moves away from the invincible heroine of her predecessor and presents a more introspective and human Lara. Despite the change of protagonist, the level of preparation of both actresses was similar. Discover the steps to follow to play the most famous archaeologist of all time.
This is how Alicia Vikander managed to be Lara Croft
Alicia Vikander, known for films such as Ex Machina and Oscar winner for The Danish Girlgave herself completely to the role of Lara Croft and underwent a intense physical training that included weight lifting, swimming, and weapons training. For months, she trained six days a week and her commitment was so strong that she insisted on doing many of the stunts, which caused her some injuries. To give her character greater credibility, the actress spoke daily with her stunt doubles to get advice on perfecting her stunts.
The actress trained for four months prior to filming with Magnus Lygdback (known as the “sculptor of famous bodies”) and managed to gain more than 5.4 kilos of muscle. A spectacular change for a young woman who was a dancer.I used to dance when I was young, And that’s like being an athlete, or at least that’s how you train. I think I’ve always dreamed of the opportunity to be part of an action movie like this. Also, I love playing very different characters, preparing in different ways, and here I had that opportunity,” said the actress.
Training and diet
His diet to gain muscle mass consisted mostly of protein, but also carbohydrates, they come to eat every three hours a day. By the end of the process, he was no longer eating carbohydrates and his dinners only had 25 grams of protein and 50 grams of natural fat. “He was so strong that I was embarrassed to take my shirt off next to him. And I go to the gym five days a week!” said his partner Walton Goggins. In addition to his physical training, he prepared himself thoroughly by watching archaeology documentaries and reading about Japanese mythology, in order to prepare himself thoroughly. “He is a character who has been with me for 22 years and who has been a pioneer. When I was 10, she was the first female protagonist of a video game I saw. And even Angelina Jolie was the first action heroine I saw on a screen“, he said in an interview with RTVE.
If Vikander’s diet and training before filming were intense, her way of losing muscle mass was not so intense. “It only took me three weeks to lose muscle mass,” she said in an interview. But soon after, In May 2019, she was on vacation with her husband Michael Fassbender in Ibizathe island where they had married two years earlier. The paparazzi photographed her when she was on a yacht and there were still traces of Lara Croft on her body, especially in the abdominal area.
TVE interviews Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, who takes over from Angelina Jolie in the role of action heroine Lara Croft, the protagonist of the video game and subsequent films ‘Tomb Raider’.
The challenge of reinventing the protagonist
The film pays tribute to the iconic video game and respects its essence. The story takes key elements from the games, such as intense action, adventurous spirit and suspense, as well as based on the origin of Lara Croft and her complicated relationship with her father. The director made an effort to replicate the aesthetics of the game, including scenes that fans will recognize, such as the shipwreck. In addition to Vikander, the cast includes Emily Carey, Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu o Kristin Scott Thomas.
In this new installment of the saga we follow a young Lara who refuses to accept the disappearance of her father, an eccentric adventurer, and to take control of the family empire. Instead, she prefers to work as a messenger riding a bicycle through the streets of London. However, Everything changes when he discovers a clue that could reveal his father’s whereabouts.taking her on a dangerous mission to a remote Japanese island. There, Lara must face deadly challenges, unearth ancient secrets and test her wits to survive, all while facing dark forces that threaten the world. The film combines fast-paced action with a profound journey of self-discovery.
Reinventing Lara Croft wasn’t easy. The film’s team knew they had to balance nostalgia with innovation, looking attract both long-time fans and a new generation. This version of Lara is more human: she makes mistakes, suffers and fights to survive, and this makes the public connect with her more. The new Lara Croft is less sexualized than the one played by Angelina Jolie, as her empowerment is enhanced. and the way they face their fears.
The film’s exteriors were shot in Cape Town, South Africa, and the special effects scenes at Warner Bros studios in the UK. The team faced many challenges: one of the most complicated scenes was the simulation of a river with strong currents, which was a great physical effort for both Vikander and the rest of the team.
A film full of emotions and action starring Alicia Vikander
A ‘million-dollar’ premiere
The film had a budget of 94 million dollars, a figure lower than the 115 million of Lara Croft: Tomb Raiderreleased in 2001, and the 95 million Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, launched in 2003, both with Angelina Jolie.Its premiere surprised producers and theaters were packed, achieving a box office take of more than 270 million dollars worldwide. Alicia Vikander changed direction, convinced in the action genre and offered a new direction to her fans. Such was the success that everyone expected a second part and the project was launched. But it could not be done: in 2022, the company lost the rights to the franchise.
So this is the only time we get to enjoy the Swedish actress as Lara Croft and, in addition, experts and fans of Tomb Raider They say it is the most faithful adaptation to the spirit of the video game. Two powerful reasons to return to the film, which enters the RTVE Play catalogue along with new titles such as Larry Crowne, it’s never too late o Emperor Code. Besides, So you don’t forget me, The substitute, A tall man, Rocco and his brothers.
