Nearly a decade after stepping into the role of Lara Croft, Alicia Vikander is watching the “Tomb Raider” franchise enter a new phase — and she is doing so with enthusiasm.
Speaking to MovieZine.se during the Göteborg Film Festival, the Oscar-winning actress shared her thoughts on the upcoming television adaptation of the video game series, created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and starring Sophie Turner. The first official image from the series was released earlier this month.
Vikander, who portrayed Croft in the 2018 MGM feature, said she has crossed paths with Turner several times over the years.
“Sophie and I have met quite a few times over the years, at Louis Vuitton shows and things like that,” she said.
Seeing Turner in character for the first time was a full-circle moment for Vikander, who praised both the casting and the creative vision behind the series.
“I loved seeing that first image,” Vikander said. “And Phoebe is so strong. It’s kind of come full circle now. You get to go back and celebrate the ’90s again, which I think is so much fun. I think it’s a really smart choice.”
Vikander is “not sure what happened” with the planned sequel…
The new series marks the latest adaptation of the long-running video game franchise, following Vikander’s own film, which was originally intended to launch a new cinematic chapter. A sequel was discussed but ultimately never materialized.
Reflecting on her experience, Vikander spoke warmly about her time with the character.
“I had such a great time making my film,” she said. “Then there were so many turns where I’m not entirely sure what happened. But it’s kind of crazy — it’s almost ten years since I shot it now.”
For Vikander, Lara Croft has always represented an opportunity to reach new audiences.
“So I hoped then, and I hope now in the same way, that you can bring in a new, young generation,” she said. “I absolutely believe they will do that now as well. It’s such an incredible character.”
Asked whether she plans to watch the series herself, Vikander answered without hesitation.
“Yes, absolutely,” she said.
…but she would love to do action again
While she is not involved in the new adaptation, Vikander also indicated that she is open to returning to physically demanding roles in the future.
“I loved the physical aspect of making that movie,” she said. “That’s definitely something I would love to do again. I think I’ve felt it quite recently — that now I want to seek something like that again.”
She added that what continues to draw her to such projects is the opportunity for transformation.
“I just read something recently,” Vikander said. “It’s not really action, but what I love so much about film is that you get to immerse yourself in something and learn something. Or train for something. You’re like: this is my job now for three or four months. I’m just going to do this, to try to fool people as convincingly as I can — that I’m really good at something I’ve never done before.”
Vikander is currently promoting the political drama “The Wizard of the Kremlin” at Göteborg Film Festival.