Why Angelina Jolie Regrets Her Iconic Lara Croft Role – ‘We Were Still Trying to Figure It Out’

Angelina Jolie’s career trajectory in the early 2000s was nothing short of meteoric. Following an Oscar win at just 24 years old for her role in Girl, Interrupted, the actress quickly became a household name, starring in a string of hit films that showcased her versatility and acting chops. Among her most iconic roles was the titular character in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), a role that would break records and leave a lasting impact on Hollywood. But despite the massive box office success of the film, Jolie admits she wasn’t entirely satisfied with the outcome.

A Record-Breaking Role

Released at the turn of the millennium, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider made history in several ways. The film, based on the popular video game franchise, grossed nearly $275 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing video game adaptation at the time. Additionally, it became the highest-earning action film with a female protagonist, setting a significant precedent for women in action roles. Jolie’s casting as the fierce, adventurous archaeologist was seen as perfect by fans and critics alike, with her physicality and charisma bringing the character to life in a way that resonated with audiences.

However, despite the record-breaking numbers and the widespread popularity, Jolie wasn’t thrilled with the result. In an interview with Black Film, she revealed her dissatisfaction with the film’s direction and her portrayal of Lara Croft.

The Struggle for Substance

“I wasn’t satisfied with it,” Jolie confessed. “Through the making of that film, we were all still trying to figure out how things worked, and we were trying to make the video game into a person, but still, it was the video game, and still, she was a video vixen, and she wasn’t quite a solid woman with emotions and feelings.”

Jolie’s comments highlight the struggle many actors face when adapting iconic characters from video games or other media. The challenge lies in balancing the established characteristics of the character with the need for a more nuanced, relatable portrayal on screen. For Jolie, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider felt more like a visual spectacle than a fully realized character study. While the action sequences were thrilling and the visuals stunning, the character of Lara Croft lacked the emotional depth that Jolie wanted to explore.

A Sequel That Struggled

Jolie’s dissatisfaction with Lara Croft: Tomb Raider spurred her to take on the sequel, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), in hopes of correcting the mistakes of the first film. She aimed to make Lara Croft a more complex and grounded character, focusing on her emotions and inner turmoil. Unfortunately, the sequel was far less successful both critically and commercially.

Despite Jolie’s efforts to bring more substance to the character, The Cradle of Life was panned by critics and earned significantly less at the box office. The film’s underperformance effectively ended the Tomb Raider franchise and, with it, Jolie’s association with the character. In the end, the sequel’s failure was a stark reminder of how difficult it is to replicate the success of a blockbuster hit, especially when the emphasis is placed on style over substance.

Reflecting on the Experience

Looking back, Jolie’s experience with Lara Croft: Tomb Raider serves as a lesson in the complexities of big-budget filmmaking. While the success of the first film was undeniable, the actress’s frustration with the lack of depth in her character shows that even record-breaking roles can leave actors feeling unfulfilled. Her attempt to rectify those issues in the sequel only highlighted the challenges of capturing the right balance between spectacle and substance, a balance that was not achieved in either film.

In retrospect, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was a groundbreaking film for women in action roles and for video game adaptations. But for Angelina Jolie, it was also a role she felt didn’t fully allow her to tap into the depth she sought as an actress. Her candid reflection serves as a reminder that, sometimes, even the biggest successes don’t always live up to an actor’s artistic vision.