Before Jolie and Turner: The Forgotten First Lara Croft Revealed

Years before Hollywood brought Lara Croft to the big screen, the character’s journey began in a way few fans remember. In 1996, the original Tomb Raider video game introduced the world to Lara Croft, but it was Shelley Blond who first gave the adventurer her voice and attitude. Her performance set the tone for everything that followed, even influencing the stars who would later portray the legendary explorer.

Setting the Stage: Shelley Blond’s Groundbreaking Role

When Shelley Blond was cast as the voice of Lara Croft, she was given minimal direction—just a single drawing and a request to channel a young, female version of James Bond. The creative team wanted a delivery that was cool and controlled, almost emotionless, which was a challenge for Blond, who described herself as naturally expressive.

I was directed… and given one drawing of Lara… the same one I had for my taped audition. They told me they wanted her to sound like a young female Bond. Very monotonous without much emotion. That was hard for me as I am naturally very expressive.

Despite the limited guidance, Blond’s performance became the blueprint for Lara Croft’s persona. Her voice work not only defined the character for gamers but also left a mark on the actors who would later step into Lara’s boots.

Angelina Jolie’s Transformation: Drawing Inspiration from the Original

When Angelina Jolie prepared to play Lara Croft in the 2001 film adaptation, she turned to Shelley Blond’s original voice recordings to perfect her accent. Jolie wanted to capture the character’s distinct tone, which made sense given Lara’s aristocratic background. The result was a performance that many fans still consider definitive.

Blond herself was impressed by Jolie’s portrayal, saying,

She was the epitome of Lara in my eyes. Face, body, accent, attitude. She had it all.

She also shared that a friend who worked on the film told her Jolie listened to the game’s audio repeatedly to nail the character’s sound.

My friend who was in the film with her [Angelina Jolie] told me she let him know she had listened to my voice on the game over and over to get the sound right.

Jolie’s take on the character helped cement Lara Croft’s place in pop culture, but after two movies, the franchise faded from the spotlight—at least for a while.

The Franchise Evolves: From Big Screen to Streaming Series

After Jolie’s era, the Tomb Raider franchise saw a resurgence with Alicia Vikander’s film, which reignited interest in Lara Croft’s adventures. Now, anticipation is building for a new chapter as Sophie Turner prepares to take on the role in an upcoming Prime Video series.

Turner’s version of Lara Croft is set to benefit from a fresh approach, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge—known for her work on Fleabag and Killing Eve—writing and producing the show. The series format promises more time for character development and world-building, a shift that could help the franchise thrive in a new era.

Looking Ahead: A New Era for Lara Croft

The upcoming series has already generated buzz, especially with its nods to the classic 1990s style that first made Lara Croft a household name. Turner will be joined by a powerhouse cast, including Jason Isaacs, Sigourney Weaver, and Bill Paterson, raising expectations for what’s to come.

With a talented creative team and a format that allows for deeper storytelling, the next chapter in Lara Croft’s legacy could be the most exciting yet. Fans are eager to see how Turner will make the role her own and whether the series can capture the magic that started with Shelley Blond’s groundbreaking performance.