The internet unearthed some treasure this week when images emerged depicting Ana De Armas as the legendary video game adventurer Lara Croft. Created by Reddit user u/TheOGCukeman in the creative hive of r/Midjourney, the pictures envision De Armas as a youthful, athletic incarnation of the iconic Tomb Raider.
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Dressed as the most recent incarnation of the character – the one we saw adapted in the latest live-action Tomb Raider flick – De Armas embodies the archaeologist-turned-action hero in all her grit and fierceness. The images instantly ignited excitement among fans, garnering praise across social media for capturing Lara Croft in a stunning new light.
Many noted how the images highlight De Armas’ versatility as an actress while also teasing an exciting possibility for the future of the Tomb Raider franchise, which has lain dormant since 2018’s underwhelming Alicia Vikander-led reboot. Though De Armas’ casting is still hypothetical, the images offer a compelling vision of what the Cuban star could bring to the role. With the right script and director, De Armas’ Croft could raid tombs and blow minds on the big screen.
Beyond raiding tombs, De Armas has shown herself capable of raiding the full spectrum of human emotion on screen. Her breakout performance came in the 2015 flick Knock Knock, where she played a rather cunning character – one that managed to overcome none other than John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves.
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In Blade Runner 2049, she brought depth and authenticity to her role as Ryan Gosling’s holographic love interest. In Knives Out, she masterfully balanced comedy, mystery, and emotion as caretaker Marta Cabrera.
Lara Croft demands this kind of range. As rebooted in the 2013 video game, Croft is more grounded and human than her earlier incarnations. She’s athletic yet vulnerable, tough yet compassionate. The role requires someone who can breathe life into Lara’s duality – her ability to kick ass while also connecting emotionally.
Based on her continually impressive resume, De Armas has proven she can hit that sweet spot between grounded drama and big-screen thrills. Her versatility, athleticism, and charisma make her the ideal choice to don Lara’s iconic tank top and bring one of gaming’s most beloved characters back to the big screen.
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The Last entry in the Tomb Raider game franchise came out four years ago. Still, love for the franchise remains high, as evidenced by these kinds of posts and fan castings. Recently, Lara Croft became an operator in Call of Duty, reigniting interest for the character to return in any capacity.
Ultimately, the clamour surrounding these images speaks to what a perfect fit De Armas seems for the role of Lara Croft. The character has become an icon since first raiding tombs in 1996, with a passionate fanbase that holds her close to their hearts. Any actress stepping into Lara’s boots has a tremendous responsibility to satisfy that decades-long love. Whether raiding tombs or hearts, De Armas’ talent could make her a Croft for the ages.
