2008 is notable for two big reasons. For one, Eidos is set to release Tomb Raider: Underworld, a true next-gen sequel, before the end of the year. In addition, they've just hired a new model to play Lara in conjunction with the game.
Alison Carroll is hardly the first to play the role. Since the original game debuted 12 years ago, many models and actresses have tried their hand at tomb raiding. In our latest Many Looks Of feature, we examine them all. From Playboy fiasco to box office gold, these are the women that helped put Lara Croft on the map.
And be sure to check back later this year, as we'll be delving into Lara's many in-game looks as well.
The Model: Nathalie Cook
Tenure: 1996-1997
As the first official Lara Croft model, Nathalie Cook never quite went on to the same level of fame as the other ladies on this list. She was hired in conjunction with the original game, a game so far back in the Stone Age that Lara didn't even have a ponytail in-game. Still, Ms. Cook gets props for being first. And at least she had a ponytail.
2008 is notable for two big reasons. For one, Eidos is set to release Tomb Raider: Underworld, a true next-gen sequel, before the end of the year. In addition, they've just hired a new model to play Lara in conjunction with the game.
Alison Carroll is hardly the first to play the role. Since the original game debuted 12 years ago, many models and actresses have tried their hand at tomb raiding. In our latest Many Looks Of feature, we examine them all. From Playboy fiasco to box office gold, these are the women that helped put Lara Croft on the map.
The Model: Rhona Mitra
Tenure: 1997-1998
For Rhona Mitra, playing Lara Croft was her first real bout of exposure to American audiences. With an exotic blend of Indian and Irish heritage, Mitra filled the shoes of the globe trotting Lara quite well.
As you can see, Eidos boosted their budget a bit and came up with an outfit that was both more detailed and more accurate to what we saw in the games.
Mitra played Lara during the late '90s, a period many consider to be the golden age of Tomb Raider. By the end of the century, digital Lara was starting to show her age. Luckily, Mitra moved onto other gigs long before the same could be said about her.
2008 is notable for two big reasons. For one, Eidos is set to release Tomb Raider: Underworld, a true next-gen sequel, before the end of the year. In addition, they've just hired a new model to play Lara in conjunction with the game.
Alison Carroll is hardly the first to play the role. Since the original game debuted 12 years ago, many models and actresses have tried their hand at tomb raiding. In our latest Many Looks Of feature, we examine them all. From Playboy fiasco to box office gold, these are the women that helped put Lara Croft on the map.
The Model: Nell McAndrew
Tenure: 1998-1999
Whereas Rhona Mitra was primarily a movie and television actress, the next Lara Croft was a full-fledged fashion model. When Nell McAndrew modeled with a shaved head, she was praised for being a "21st Century babe."
McAndrew is easily the most infamous model ever to play Lara. It started when she very publicly admitted to getting breast implants to help her fill Lara's leotard. Not that fans complained, of course. The real controversy came when McAndrew posed for Playboy in 1999. Though she wasn't technically playing Lara in these photos, the magazine used her status as a selling point.
Eidos was not happy with this at all. Believe it or not,, Lara Croft does have certain standards of decency. The publisher forced Playboy to remove any mention of Tomb Raider from the issue, and they promptly fired McAndrew. She went on to pose in many other magazines and act in television, so we'd say she got a pretty good deal in the end.
2008 is notable for two big reasons. For one, Eidos is set to release Tomb Raider: Underworld, a true next-gen sequel, before the end of the year. In addition, they've just hired a new model to play Lara in conjunction with the game.
Alison Carroll is hardly the first to play the role. Since the original game debuted 12 years ago, many models and actresses have tried their hand at tomb raiding. In our latest Many Looks Of feature, we examine them all. From Playboy fiasco to box office gold, these are the women that helped put Lara Croft on the map.
The Model: Lara Weller
Tenure: 1999-2000
A Lara Croft model whose name is actually Lara? It must be fate.
This Dutch model was chosen to portray Lara at what was arguably the low point of her popularity. By the release of Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, gamers just didn't care about this digital vixen any longer. Eidos marketed the game as the last Tomb Raider. We all know how that worked out. Some credit must go to Lara Weller for keeping the character alive during this dark time.
2008 is notable for two big reasons. For one, Eidos is set to release Tomb Raider: Underworld, a true next-gen sequel, before the end of the year. In addition, they've just hired a new model to play Lara in conjunction with the game.
Alison Carroll is hardly the first to play the role. Since the original game debuted 12 years ago, many models and actresses have tried their hand at tomb raiding. In our latest Many Looks Of feature, we examine them all. From Playboy fiasco to box office gold, these are the women that helped put Lara Croft on the map.
The Model: Lucy Clarkson
Tenure: 2000-2002
Lara Croft wasn't still marooned in a gaming quagmire when Eidos hired its next model, Lucy Clarkson. Clarkson was by far the youngest to take on the role, being only 17 when she was first hired in 2000.
Better things were on the horizon for the character, though not necessarily because of Ms. Clarkson. Angelina Jolie would play Lara in the 2001 Tomb Raider movie, even as Clarkson was still the official Eidos model. It's hard not to feel bad for her. We wouldn't want to compete with Jolie either. She'd probably kick our ass no matter what we were competing at.
2008 is notable for two big reasons. For one, Eidos is set to release Tomb Raider: Underworld, a true next-gen sequel, before the end of the year. In addition, they've just hired a new model to play Lara in conjunction with the game.
Alison Carroll is hardly the first to play the role. Since the original game debuted 12 years ago, many models and actresses have tried their hand at tomb raiding. In our latest Many Looks Of feature, we examine them all. From Playboy fiasco to box office gold, these are the women that helped put Lara Croft on the map.
Angelina Jolie
Tenure: 2001 & 2003
If you pay attention to Hollywood rumors, every major gaming franchise is slated for adaptation, and attached to six or seven different directors at any given time. We're always surprised when a project actually comes to fruition, and even more surprised when it doesn't completely suck.
Tomb Raider's merits were debatable, but there was no denying that Angelina Jolie became Lara Croft on screen.
Being an actual actress and not just an underwear model, Jolie brought a certain magnetism to the role that others just couldn't. She certainly had sex appeal, as well. Paramount pushed the boundaries of what could fly in a teen-oriented, PG-13 action flick. Young boys (and men) everywhere applauded them for the shower scene, along with many other scenes that flaunted Jolie's beauty.
Unfortunately, while we could ignore the first movie's faults, the sequel was terrible enough to kill the franchise. We don't suppose Jolie will ever play Lara again, but here's hoping.
2008 is notable for two big reasons. For one, Eidos is set to release Tomb Raider: Underworld, a true next-gen sequel, before the end of the year. In addition, they've just hired a new model to play Lara in conjunction with the game.
Alison Carroll is hardly the first to play the role. Since the original game debuted 12 years ago, many models and actresses have tried their hand at tomb raiding. In our latest Many Looks Of feature, we examine them all. From Playboy fiasco to box office gold, these are the women that helped put Lara Croft on the map.
The Model: Jill de Jong
Tenure: 2002-2004
Like Lucy Clarkson, Jill de Jong was forced to share the spotlight with Angelina Jolie. De Jong played Lara around the same time as Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life hit theaters. As if that weren't bad enough, de Jong presided over the era that saw Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness hit the PS2. This highly-anticipated game turned out to be more "miss" than "hit" amongst the fanbase.
Still, the new game brought a new look for Lara Croft, and de Jong helped show it off to the world. Lara's standard look in Angel of Darkness replaced the blue leotard and shorts for a more sleek and functional black outfit. After years of staring at the same outfit, we were only too happy to welcome a change of pace, a new excuse to ogle our favorite raider of tombs.
2008 is notable for two big reasons. For one, Eidos is set to release Tomb Raider: Underworld, a true next-gen sequel, before the end of the year. In addition, they've just hired a new model to play Lara in conjunction with the game.
Alison Carroll is hardly the first to play the role. Since the original game debuted 12 years ago, many models and actresses have tried their hand at tomb raiding. In our latest Many Looks Of feature, we examine them all. From Playboy fiasco to box office gold, these are the women that helped put Lara Croft on the map.
The Model: Karima Adebibe
Tenure: 2006-2008
Karima Adebibe's name just sounds exotic. This British-born model is of Moroccan, Irish, and Greek heritage, so we guess that would explain it. Adebibe came into the role at a fortuitous time. Thanks to Tomb Raider: Legend, Lara Croft's stock was on the rise.
Adebibe played Lara both in her modern Legend costume and her classic look, as re-imagined by Tomb Raider: Anniversary. We have to say she looked good either way. Adebibe brought an impressive level of commitment to the role, studying martial arts and other hobbies common to archaeologists. With her good looks and physical aptitude, it's no surprise Adebibe became the definitive Lara Croft for many fans.
2008 is notable for two big reasons. For one, Eidos is set to release Tomb Raider: Underworld, a true next-gen sequel, before the end of the year. In addition, they've just hired a new model to play Lara in conjunction with the game.
Alison Carroll is hardly the first to play the role. Since the original game debuted 12 years ago, many models and actresses have tried their hand at tomb raiding. In our latest Many Looks Of feature, we examine them all. From Playboy fiasco to box office gold, these are the women that helped put Lara Croft on the map.
The Model: Alison Carroll
Tenure: 2008
When Karima Adebibe retired from tomb raiding, Eidos needed to find a new model to play Lara Croft.
Evidently, they were impressed by Adebibe's martial arts skills and overall physical prowess, because they ignored the world of emaciated fashion models and instead looked to the world of athletics. There, they found British gymnast Alison Carroll.
Carroll was a respected gymnast for many years before retiring and becoming a model in 2007. Eidos hopes her physical skills can help Carroll stand out among the many ladies to play Lara Croft.
And before you go thinking that Carroll is some 'roided out bodybuilder, just check out these images. We'll go out on a limb and say that Eidos made a great choice on this one. Carroll was only officially hired a few weeks ago, but with a new game due out soon, she'll have plenty of opportunity to make herself known.
Lara has many adventures. What's your favorite? | ||