Published at: March 7, 2000, 6:08 p.m. CST by staff
Greetings, meat popsicles! ROBOGEEK here, just back from my recent adventures at the most excellent CINEQUEST San Jose Film Festival (which I'll file a couple of reports on this week).
As some of you already know, in Friday's Variety, Michael Fleming reported that Angelina Jolie was in "final talks" to star in "Tomb Raider," based on the behemoth video game franchise. After a dizzying array of phone calls and e-mails, I can now confirm that report, and add some new info to the mix.
While the ink isn't quite dry yet, three-time Golden Globe winner (and Academy Award nominee for "Girl, Interrupted") Angelina Jolie has indeed landed the coveted role of Lara Croft in "Tomb Raider," which starts principal photography this summer at Pinewood Studios outside of London (and other far-flung globe-trotting locales). It is slated for a Summer 2001 release from Paramount and, as previously reported, will be directed by Simon ("Con Air," "The General's Daughter") West, with Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin producing.
Hard-core Lara fans will be happy to hear that Jolie will not only undergo three months of intense physical training to prepare for the role, but that she will also be playing the part with a British accent (this is a key detail I just learned). It's also worth noting that "Tomb Raider" publisher Eidos Interactive is "thrilled" with the choice of Jolie. No other casting is in place (no matter what else you've heard), but I think it's a good bet that this movie won't be another "Mortal Kombat," given Jolie's caliber.
We should have more news for you in the coming weeks.
P.S.: In anticipation of a Talk Back question, Gordon and Levin's much-anticipated film adaptation of Mike Mignola's "Hellboy" (written and to be directed by Guillermo del Toro) is still very much alive and kicking, though will obviously not go into production until sometime after "Tomb Raider" wraps. (Del Toro is slated to shoot "The Devil's Backbone" this summer.) I can't help but ponder the possibility of Angelina Jolie as Liz Sherman. ;-)
