Why Angelina Jolie Was ‘Very Uncomfortable’ in Shorts for Lara Croft – And How She Finally Agreed

Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of the iconic Lara Croft catapulted her into global superstardom, yet behind the scenes, the actress faced a surprising personal hurdle: wearing the character’s signature shorts. While Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) went on to become one of the highest-grossing video game adaptations despite its mixed reviews, Jolie’s reluctance to don the shorts was a challenge she had to overcome for the sake of authenticity.

Jolie’s Early Hesitation
In a candid interview with Screen Slam, Jolie recalled how resistant she initially felt about wearing the shorts. “We knew we had to have the shorts at one point, which was very, very difficult,” she admitted. The costume, a near replica of Lara’s iconic gaming attire, felt out of step with how Jolie envisioned the character. “I think it was the first thing I said to Simon [West, the film’s director], probably. That I would do the movie, but would not get in the shorts.”

Despite her discomfort, Jolie ultimately agreed, acknowledging that for fans of the games, the shorts were non-negotiable. “For the people that know her, you have to get in the shorts,” she conceded, though the experience remained uncomfortable. “It was very, very uncomfortable. You feel like her.”

Revisiting the Role and Refining the Character
When it came time to reprise the role for the sequel, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider—The Cradle of Life (2003), Jolie was determined to take more control over her character’s image. Reflecting on the first film, she shared with IGN that she felt the initial approach had leaned too heavily on replicating the video game aesthetic rather than creating a fully realized character.

“She had that video-vixen type thing, and a lot of the clothes were stretchy and that kind of thing,” Jolie said. “But we didn’t get into the quality of the lady aspect of her. And her body wasn’t the way I wanted it to be. So, for the second one, I wanted it to be more my body. And I wanted her to be classier and more interesting as a woman.”

For Jolie, stepping into Lara’s boots a second time was about more than just revising her wardrobe. “We held numerous meetings, discussing everything we had been dissatisfied with and identifying the changes we planned to make,” she revealed. The actress agreed to return for the sequel on the condition that she and the filmmakers would “do it right this time.”

A Legacy of Iconic Roles
Though the Lara Croft films weren’t without their challenges, Jolie’s performance remains a defining moment in her career. Since then, she has continued to evolve as both an actress and filmmaker, appearing most recently in 2024’s Maria and the upcoming Couture. Yet, for many fans, her turn as Lara Croft—shorts and all—will always be a defining chapter in her legacy.