Hayley Atwell on Lara Croft and why she ‘never feels 100% prepared’

As a seasoned actress with a rich background in portraying action heroes, I can confidently say that voicing Lara Croft for the animated series was an exhilarating challenge. Having been through the rigors of drama school and countless roles that pushed me out of my comfort zone, I approached this project with a sense of familiarity and anticipation.

When queried about embodying Lara Croft, one of the world’s most renowned action heroines, Hayley Atwell expresses her excitement with a small exclamation.

Initially introduced to the public in the iconic 1996 game Tomb Raider, the character Lara Croft has undergone numerous transformations and been featured across different video game sequels, action films, and more recently, an animated show streaming on Netflix.

For over two decades, she has continued to embody female power – a quality that’s been further explored in the latest installment.

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve always admired the evolution of Lara Croft, a character that has been meticulously crafted. Vicky Arnold, the original scriptwriter for the Tomb Raider games, laid the foundation for her creation. Later, Rhianna Pratchett, who worked on the 2013 and 2015 reboot games, sculpted her in a new light. Then came Jill Murray, who further refined her character during Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Now, I’m excited to see how Tasha Huo, as the showrunner of the Netflix series, will continue Lara Croft’s journey.

What I appreciate most about her is that she’s a well-established character who keeps evolving, which I believe is what gives her lasting appeal.

The subtle touches throughout the latest Tomb Raider series suggest a female writer’s hand at work, particularly in the intricate details. For instance, there’s a moment where Lara proclaims to everyone within earshot that the dress she’s wearing includes functional pockets.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I always ensure I’ve got a trusty hair tie on me. Those small, seemingly insignificant details somehow bring a character to life, making them more relatable and approachable.

Besides Alicia Vikander and Angelina Jolie, other remarkable women have molded the character; Emily Atwell aspires to preserve their impactful influence while simultaneously contributing her unique touch. (“What a distinguished group to be associated with!”)

Atwell remarks that these women are exceptionally versatile and powerful in their professions, and Keeley Hawes, particularly her voice-over roles, have been portrayed by numerous talented actresses. What’s captivating to him is how each actress infuses the role with their unique interpretation, voice, and physicality, yet there remains a shared comprehension of Lara’s essence.

As an avid follower, I find myself captivated by her, the fearless explorer embarking on thrilling, myth-infused solitary journeys that seem to dance on the edge of peril. Yet, beneath this privileged veneer lies a past where the price has been steep.

In this series, Lara’s emotional struggles are evident, and they are continuations that follow the stories from the Survivor Trilogy. By this point, Lara is emotionally at a low ebb, and she has been choosing to go on solo journeys instead of staying with her friends. However, one of these journeys takes her back home, forcing her to face her true identity in contrast to her friends.

For instance, Lara could hold the conviction that her actions are significant and courageous or bold, yet it’s possible her friends notice that she might also be evading her emotions. She prefers exploring cliffs, unearthing antiquities with supernatural entities over attending social gatherings like parties, which she isn’t particularly fond of.

She tends to feel anxious. I find this trait delightful and appealing, and it offers me, as a performer, the chance to portray this unique aspect of her character, which might be something fresh, yet consistent with who she is known to be.

Beyond her tough demeanor and action-packed roles, it’s worth noting another factor that boosted Lara’s popularity in the ’90s – her unique style. She was often considered a sex symbol, as evidenced by Atwell’s confession about having “male friends who were captivated by her, particularly her initial image.

Looking back, it’s hard not to view earlier portrayals of the character as excessively sexualized. Therefore, for the Netflix animated adaptation, getting the character’s appearance just right was paramount.

Initially, the proposal presented some visuals – snapshots of the location and depictions of Lara – to help me envision the setting and Lara’s appearance. I found myself drawn to her strength, and I didn’t find any issues with it whatsoever, according to Atwell.

It’s important for her appearance to remain consistent with what we initially know about her, as drastic changes would create a new character. Therefore, there should be aspects of her original self that continue throughout the animation. Additionally, as her costumes evolve over time, they symbolize her growing comfort in her own identity.

When I watch her perform, it seems as though her physical presence and artistic style emerge effortlessly from her actions, instead of being carefully crafted to suit societal expectations under the traditional male perspective.

Although Lara is widely recognized as a significant action heroine, Peggy Carter (played by Hayley Atwell) isn’t her first role in this genre – she’ll likely appear in more action roles in the future, ranging from Marvel to Mission: Impossible and beyond. However, voice acting presents a unique set of challenges.

As I immerse myself in each new project, I find that my skills are subtly honed for the next one. This valuable lesson was deeply ingrained in me during my time at drama school: the strength of a performance lies in the unity of the cast. The stage production is only as strong as its most vulnerable member. Regardless of the size of the role, every actor must contribute fully and bring their unique offering to the table.

As a movie reviewer, I found myself immersed in a captivating film where the director allowed me to explore my acting choices independently – not influenced by how lines were read to me during rehearsals. This required a high level of trust and technical precision, as I had to perform blindly, relying on my instincts and the director’s subsequent selection of takes that complemented the overall tone of the scene I established. It was an intriguing process that added depth and authenticity to the performances on screen.

For my part, there’s no real substitute for learning technical skills or building up the self-assurance to take the plunge. In my experience, I’ve found that tackling tasks I wasn’t familiar with in the past involved jumping right in, without knowing exactly how things would unfold… and that’s where the learning happens.

In my experience, I rarely reach a state of complete readiness or absolute certainty regarding my actions. Instead, I make an effort to appear and then adapt as the situation unfolds. It seems that Lara is following a similar approach in this series as well.

After 28 years and still going strong, what is it about Lara that keeps her captivating for those among us privileged enough to play her?

Atwell notes that what sets her apart is her role as a thrilling action-adventurer who weaves mythical tales. These stories incorporate aspects of archaeology, history, and ancient cultures, giving them an ageless quality.

She develops a keen interest in people beyond just their physical or aesthetic qualities. This character has evolved over time, with influential women shaping her from the start, including Tasha, who continues this legacy. Additionally, numerous actresses have portrayed her in various roles.

Essentially, Lara’s development reflects her adapting to current times while maintaining the essence of what she represents to her audience. At the same time, it shows how she has evolved into a different person, reflecting changes in herself over time.

2024-10-09 16:34

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