Alicia Vikander in ‘Tomb Raider’
“The Danish Girl” star Alicia Vikander has nabbed one of Hollywood’s most coveted leading roles.
Vikander will be playing Lara Croft in the MGM and GK Films’ “Tomb Raider” reboot, it was announced Thursday. Norwegian helmer Roar Uthaug is on board to direct.
While other actresses had met for the role, including Daisy Ridley, source indicate that Vikander had always been the first choice. The reason for the delay of announcement was that the studio was waiting for a new draft of the script, sources say.
MGM joined the project in 2013, acquiring rights to the popular video game to develop the feature in partnership with Graham King’s GK Films. King, who acquired “Tomb Raider” in 2011 from Square Enix, will serve as producer.
The original “Tomb Raider” was released in 1996 by London-based Eidos, which is now part of Square Enix. The games have sold over 35 million units. Square Enix released a reboot in 2013 with a younger Croft (now 21) being sent off on her first big adventure amid amped-up action and set pieces.
Paramount’s two films starring Angelina Jolie as the British archaeologist were released in 2001 and 2003 and grossed $432 million worldwide.
Warner Bros., which owned 20% of Eidos, subsequently launched development of a “Tomb Raider” project with Dan Lin producing, but the feature rights went to Square Enix after it bought Eidos in 2009 for $120 million.
Warners came on board in early 2015. MGM has teamed with the studio on “Hot Pursuit,” “Max” and “Creed.” Cassidy Lange is overseeing for MGM; Drew Crevello is leading for Warners and Denis O’Sullivan for GK Films.
Vikander won an Oscar for her performance in “The Danish Girl,” and also garnered attention for her performance in “Ex Machina.” Coming up, the actress has the next movie in the Jason Bourne franchise and “The Light Between Oceans” opposite Michael Fassbender.
