September 18, 2011

Tomb Raider 30-Day Challenge Day 18: Favorite Live-Action Model

UPDATE: This month-long challenge has officially finished, but you're still welcome to post your comments below at any time. We'd love to hear what you think.

Earlier this year Crystal Dynamics announced that there will be no live model portraying the young Lara Croft featured in next year's series reboot. Is this the end of an era or might the live-action model tradition return for future games? I guess we'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, today's challenge question asks who is your favorite live-action Lara and why? Is it one of the official Eidos models, film actress Angelina Jolie, or one of the amateur actor/model/cosplayers?

Official Lara Croft Models (1996-2010)

Nathalie Cook (1996-97)


Rhona Mitra (1997-98)


Vanessa Demouy (1998)


Nell McAndrew (1998-99)


Lara Weller (1999-2000)


Lucy Clarkson (2000-02)


Jill de Jong (2002-04)


Karima Adebibe (2006-08)


Alison Carroll (2008-10)


Lara Croft model reunion to commemorate the TR: Anniversary release. Pictured left to right: Nell McAndrew, Lara Weller, Karima Adebibe, Lucy Clarkson, Jill de Jong.


In 2007, GameTap produced the documentary Ten Years of Tomb Raider. Part 6, titled "Being Lara Croft," features an interview with Karima Adebibe, the current Lara model at the time. Watch all 9 episodes, courtesy of Guns & Grapple.

20 comments:

  1. To be honest, I find the whole live-action Lara thing a little creepy, but I guess it's all in the spirit of fun and multi-level marketing. ;) That said, I think I'm partial to Rhona. She's gone on to have quite a career, and I enjoyed her turn as Kiva on Stargate Universe. Karima is the one I'd most like to actually meet—I mean the woman speaks 6 languages and actually plays the Tomb Raider games—and Alison's gymnastic ability makes her the best able to physically fill Lara's boots.

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  2. Hahaha Stella XD :') it is a bit creepy ;) haha but my faves are Alison and Karima :) They just seem the most down to earth lol but i don't really pay any attention to the whole model thing :L so meh haha :) xx

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  3. Yeah, most of those ladies came and went before a lot of younger fans even discovered the games. ;)

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  4. I think Rhona Mitra was the best and I think Angelina Jolie was wonderful.

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  5. I've always been a huge fan of the images of Jill de Jong, that being said, some of the footage of Allison Carrol's stunts is amazing. Gotta be a tie :)

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  6. I like Lucy Clarkson and Allison Carrol. They look like they were great models. Allison was cool

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  7. I think I'm going to skip this question. Every time I try to formulate an answer I just wind-up shaking my head.

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  8. Rhona has always been my favorite as well =)

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  9. I totally agree about the whole model thing is a bit creepy and I actually don't think any of them really fit the bill for Lara.But Angelina Jolie really seems more appropriate for Lara's bad assness LOLs

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  10. I also find the live-action model thing creepy.
    While it may be used in other games, the exposure of this was just like general modelling and skin-websites.

    I guess my fave would then default to Angenlina Jolie for playing the part in the movies.

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  11. Alison/Karima and Rhona Mitra. The best

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  12. I prefer Rhona Mitra. She was the first Live-Action Lara Model I ever saw and I believe that she's the one that most closely resembles Lara; at least compared to those earlier games.

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  13. I can't say I've really followed the live action models; not my thing. But I've got a few opinions. There's something about Vanessa Demouy that's very classic Lara, which I appreciate. I really respect Alison Carrol's ability to do what Lara does (for the most part!). And I'd like to second Stella's sentiments about Karima Adebibe; very cool :)

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  14. Rhona Mitra was the first I associated with Lara Croft so she will always have a special place in my heart and be my favourite model. My second favourite would be Lara Weller.

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  15. Rhona Mitra remains my favorite, she looks the part and had Lara-like hobbies in the form of rockclimbing and skydiving, and she proved with "Doomsday" that she´s got the mettle to get physically fit for an action role. Lara Weller comes second, she would sometimes capture the look and attitude of Lara.

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  16. I like Rhona and Alison.

    I think it's cool they have athletes/models to represent Lara but I think it's weird too. In a way, I feel like it's just like going to Disney land and seeing mickey mouse dressed up and strutting his stuff for the littluns. Maybe seeing a live action model makes some fans feel closer to Lara and more like she's actually alive in a real person.

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  17. I'm not really that interested in the live-actions models, but Alison Carroll is my favorite. I think she's the most charming and an insane gymnast.

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  18. Wow great post.Really i think it is an admirable post. Thank's. actors studio interviews.
    .

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  19. I don't really like Lara being portrayed as a live-action model, but I guess it would be either Karima Adebibe, Alison Carroll, or Camilla Ludington

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