Angelina Jolie’s Secret Behind Tomb Raider Casting—Why She Almost Said No!

Angelina Jolie has built a career marked by grace, talent, and a diverse range of iconic roles. From her breakthrough performance in Girl, Interrupted, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, to her global success as Lara Croft, Jolie’s ability to bring characters to life is unparalleled. Over the years, she has portrayed both real-life figures like Gia Carangi and Maria Callas, as well as fictional villains such as Maleficent. But one role in particular, that of Lara Croft, came with a special condition, one that is both humorous and revealing about her approach to acting.

After her early success, Jolie became globally recognized for her portrayal of the video game character Lara Croft. With two films—Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003)—Jolie’s take on the iconic adventurer captured audiences worldwide. However, when discussing how she came to take on the role, Jolie shared a fascinating tidbit about her decision-making process, especially surrounding her costume choice. “They said, ‘You can travel the world and train with the British military.’ And I said, ‘I will wear the shorts for the first five minutes and then I’ll never wear them again.’ And that’s true. And that’s the movie. That’s actually what happened,” she recalled with a smile.

This candid revelation not only highlights Jolie’s sense of humor but also her desire for agency in her roles. For her, it wasn’t just about playing an action-packed character—it was about having input into how that character was portrayed, including the costume design. This detail also reflects her deep love for travel, which she has long expressed as a source of personal enrichment. The idea of traveling the world while portraying a character gave her the opportunity to blend her passion for exploration with her professional work, making the role even more appealing.

Jolie’s career has been a testament to her versatility and her ability to immerse herself in challenging roles. Her recent performance as Maria Callas in Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín, is another example of her capacity to embody complex historical figures. The film, which explores the final days of the legendary opera singer, marks the end of Larraín’s trilogy about iconic women, following portrayals of Princess Diana and Jackie Kennedy. Like these women, Callas and Jolie share the experience of being unfairly judged by the media and their personal lives often reduced to scandalous headlines. Jolie’s portrayal has been widely praised, with many pointing to the haunting similarity between her own struggles and Callas’s.

As Jolie continues to evolve as an actress, it’s clear that her choices are always guided by a sense of authenticity and personal connection to the role. Whether she’s taking on a larger-than-life character like Lara Croft or the complex, tragic figure of Maria Callas, Jolie ensures that her performances remain true to herself and her values. She may be known for playing powerful women on screen, but it is her deep understanding of their inner worlds—and her ability to stay true to her own— that makes her one of the most respected actors of her generation.