Ridley confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter at the Empire Awards in London that she has been in talks to take on the role, though it hasn’t officially been offered to her.
Should she snag the role in the film, which is based on the popular action-adventure video game by Core Design, it would put Ridley in good company with fellow actor Angelina Jolie, who previously played the archealogist/adventurer in the 2001 film adaptation Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and its sequel The Cradle of Life (2003).
In the game and film, Croft travels around the world looking for lost artifacts, often finding herself face-to-face with dangerous, sometimes supernatural, situations. There have been several games in the franchise since it launched in 1993, most recently Rise of the Tomb Raider, which was released last year for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One gaming consoles (PlayStation 4 and PC versions are expected this year.) With over 45 million games sold to date worldwide, Tomb Raider has become one of the best-selling video game franchises.
Earlier reports have suggested that Megan Fox and Kristen Stewart as well as Olivia Wilde have all turned down the role. That could be good news not only for Ridley, but for the franchise and viewers as well, many of whom felt that none of those three ladies would have been the right fit. Ridley, meanwhile, has proven that her acting chops can rival any of those ladies, and that she can hold her own as a leading lady and action star. And it sounds like she’s fully game to pick up where Jolie left off.
“I’m waiting for someone to say ‘I want you, let’s do it,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.
Ridley also has a glowing endorsement from her Star Wars co-star John Boyega (Finn), who commented that after playing the latest video game, he instantly thought she would be perfect for the role.
While Ridley is currently filming the next installment in the iconic Star Wars film franchise, it appears the actor, who won the Empire Best Female Newcomer award at the event, isn’t scared of double-booking herself into two major roles. “I’m trying to fill up my calendar,” she said.
Something tells us she’ll have no problems doing so, whether it’s with the role of Croft or otherwise.
