The Three Faces Of Lara Croft: Where Are The Actors In Tomb Raider Now, And Who Is The New Star?

The world of action-adventure cinema is buzzing with the latest casting news for the iconic archaeologist, Lara Croft. As of December 2025, the *Tomb Raider* franchise is entering a new era, moving from the big screen to an ambitious streaming series on Amazon Prime Video, with a new actress officially stepping into the boots of the legendary heroine. The journey of Lara Croft on film has been a fascinating evolution, starting with a global superstar, moving to an Oscar-winning dramatic actress, and now landing on a fan-favorite from a blockbuster TV series.

This article dives deep into the actors who have brought the titular character and her world to life across all three major cinematic iterations, providing the most current updates on the franchise's future, including the full biography of the newest star and the supporting cast that defined each era of the *Tomb Raider* films.

The Latest Lara: Sophie Turner's Complete Biography and Profile

The most significant and current news surrounding the *Tomb Raider* universe is the casting of English actress Sophie Turner as the next Lara Croft in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series. This move signals a major shift in the franchise's direction, with the series being overseen by the critically acclaimed writer and producer, Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

• Full Name: Sophie Belinda Turner
• Born: February 21, 1996
• Birthplace: Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
• Breakthrough Role: Sansa Stark in the HBO fantasy series *Game of Thrones* (2011–2019)
• Key Filmography: *Another Me* (2013), *Barely Lethal* (2015), *X-Men: Apocalypse* (2016), *Dark Phoenix* (2019), and the television miniseries *The Staircase* (2022).
• Recent Projects: Turner's career has shifted toward more dramatic and complex roles post-*Game of Thrones*, making her casting as the gritty, younger Lara Croft an intriguing choice for fans.
• Tomb Raider Series Status: The live-action series is confirmed for Amazon Prime Video, with production reportedly scheduled to begin in January 2026.
• Series Creative Team: Phoebe Waller-Bridge serves as the creator, writer, and executive producer, promising a unique, character-driven take on the adventurer.
• Rumored Supporting Cast: There are unconfirmed reports that veteran actress Sigourney Weaver is in talks to join the cast, which would add immense star power to the ensemble.

The Cinematic Legacy: Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander

Before Sophie Turner, two actresses defined the role of Lara Croft on the big screen, each bringing a distinct flavor to the adventurous archaeologist. Their performances established the cinematic mythology of the character, drawing from different eras of the video game series.

Angelina Jolie: The Action Superstar Era (2001 & 2003)

Angelina Jolie was the first actress to bring Lara Croft to life in a major Hollywood production. Her casting was considered perfect at the time, capturing the character's exotic looks and bold, fearless demeanor from the original PlayStation games. Jolie starred in two films that were commercial successes, despite mixed critical reception.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

This film introduced the world to the cinematic version of Lara Croft, focusing on her search for the mythical Triangle of Light. The supporting cast was notable, featuring several actors who would later become household names or were already respected veterans.

• Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft
• Jon Voight as Lord Croft (Lara's father)
• Iain Glen as Manfred Powell (The main villain)
• Daniel Craig as Alex West (Rival archaeologist and former lover)
• Noah Taylor as Bryce (Lara's technical assistant)
• Chris Barrie as Hillary (Lara's butler)

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003)

The sequel saw Lara on a quest to find Pandora's Box before a ruthless scientist could. The cast was again bolstered by major talent, including a future action star.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

• Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft
• Gerard Butler as Terry Sheridan (Lara's former flame and a mercenary)
• Ciarán Hinds as Jonathan Reiss (The villain, a bioweapons dealer)
• Chris Barrie and Noah Taylor reprised their roles as Hillary and Bryce.

Alicia Vikander: The Gritty Reboot Era (2018)

In 2018, the franchise was rebooted with a film that closely mirrored the tone and origin story of the 2013 video game. This version presented a younger, less experienced, and more physically grounded Lara Croft, focusing on her journey to becoming the Tomb Raider. The casting of Swedish actress Alicia Vikander brought an Oscar-winning dramatic pedigree to the role, contrasting sharply with Jolie's action-star persona.

Tomb Raider (2018)

The film focused on Lara's search for her missing father, Lord Richard Croft, and her first perilous adventure on the island of Yamatai.

• Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft
• Dominic West as Lord Richard Croft (Lara's father)
• Walton Goggins as Mathias Vogel (The villain, a rival archaeologist)
• Daniel Wu as Lu Ren (A ship captain who aids Lara)
• Kristin Scott Thomas as Ana Miller (Business partner of Richard Croft)

Despite critical praise for Vikander's portrayal and a decent box office run, the planned sequel was ultimately canceled, leading to the current Amazon series reboot.

The Impact of Casting on the Tomb Raider Franchise

The choice of actress for Lara Croft has always been a seismic event in pop culture, reflecting the current state of the character and the industry's approach to adapting video games. The actors in *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* are not just performers; they are the physical embodiment of a global gaming icon, a fact that contributes significantly to the topical authority of the franchise.

From Global Icon to Gritty Survivor

Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft was the confident, aristocratic adventurer who was already at the peak of her abilities. Her performance was a direct nod to the classic games, emphasizing the character's wealth, gadgets, and effortless mastery of any situation. The supporting cast—including future James Bond Daniel Craig—helped to establish a world of high-stakes, globe-trotting espionage and treasure hunting.

Alicia Vikander's portrayal, conversely, was about vulnerability and endurance. The 2018 film was a deliberate "origin story," showing Lara as a young woman struggling to find her path, a stark reflection of the modern, survival-focused video game reboots. Actors like Walton Goggins and Daniel Wu grounded the story in a more realistic, emotionally charged environment, focusing on the human cost of her adventures.

The Future: The Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sophie Turner Vision

The upcoming Amazon series, spearheaded by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (known for *Fleabag* and *Killing Eve*), and starring Sophie Turner, suggests a third, completely new direction. This iteration is expected to leverage the long-form storytelling of television to explore Lara’s character depth, relationships, and the wider world of archaeology and conspiracy in a way the films could not.

The move to a series format, with a fresh face like Turner and the creative oversight of Waller-Bridge, allows the franchise to shed the constraints of previous movie timelines. It can delve into a new mythology, potentially incorporating elements from the vast *Tomb Raider* game lore that have yet to be explored on screen. The rumored involvement of an actress of Sigourney Weaver's caliber also suggests a commitment to a high-quality, prestige television production, ensuring that the actors in this new *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* chapter will continue the legacy of this enduring action heroine.