Fifteen years after we last saw Lara Croft, a.k.a. Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider — The Cradle of Life, the story of the archaeologist-adventurer will come alive on screen. It’s not Angie playing Lara this time, but Oscar-winning actress Alicia Vikander. The Woods finds out from director Roar Uthaug his take on the film based on the video game franchise.
The Woods: What was your overall vision for the film and the character of Lara Croft?
ROAR UTHAUG: We’re doing a gritty and authentic take on Tomb Raider and creating a Lara who’s vulnerable and imperfect. As a gamer and fan of the Tomb Raider game, I really enjoyed directing the film, and it was a pleasure working with Alicia Vikander. At the same time, I’m humbled by the responsibility of creating a new version of such an iconic character.
What qualities does Alicia bring to the reinvention of the character that the two of you created together?
Alicia is special and dedicated to her craft. She worked incredibly hard on all her physical training and preparation with the stunt team. She has such a presence and authenticity that it gives her scenes a grounded feeling and an emotional connection that we’re not used to experiencing in a movie like this. Of course, we have the big scope and scale and action you’d expect, but there’s an engaging character — Alicia’s Lara — at the core.
How do you create the balance between the intimate character work and the vast scale of the production?
The spectacle doesn’t work if you don’t care about the character. So, first you must create a character that the audience will root for. When you have that, the audience is engaged.
Where is Lara when we meet her?
She’s a bike courier in East London, trying to make ends meet. Her father, Richard (played by Jon Voight in the Angelina films), had disappeared seven years earlier, which has taken an emotional toll on her. She’s been pushing that part of her life away, not wanting to be a part of the Croft legacy because that would mean accepting that he’s gone. To stop a downward spiral, she begins to pull at the threads of what’s happened to him. She discovers there was a lot more to Richard, propelling her on her journey.
What does Dominic West bring to the character of Lara’s father, Richard Croft? Same question for Daniel Wu as Lu Ren (who helps Lara), and Walton Goggins as Mathias (Richard’s rival).
Dominic brings warmth to the character, who is torn between what he feels he must do and the love for his daughter. He portrays that in a very emotional, charming way. Daniel created this strong but down-and-out Hong Kong fisherman who captains a rusty boat, and Walton is fun and energetic. He has a great presence in front of the camera, and it makes for a dangerous villain. We discussed creating this villain that’s not a traditional bad guy with a scheme to destroy the world. Mathias is a man on a mission and he is the hero of his own story.
Did you have a favourite or memorable moment during filming?
There is a sequence where Lara is hurled down the river and lands in a Japanese World War II bomber. We shot part of that sequence in a white-water rafting facility outside London. I remember holding my breath as Alicia, whose hands were literally tied, was going down those rapids. Her dedication really paid off in that scene.
What do you hope audiences experience when they see Tomb Raider in the cinema?
This is a standalone movie — an origin story about Lara Croft. We made it for everyone; you don’t need to know the game to enjoy it. Audiences will love the large-scale action, which unfolds in an authentic way. There’s a powerful humanity at the heart of the film. Having said that, fans of the game will enjoy seeing some special Easter eggs we’ve placed throughout the film.
