A First Look at Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in the 'Tomb Raider' Reboot

Thanks to a brand new interview with director Roar Uthaug, GQ has shared the first shots of Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in MGM and Warner Bros.’s upcoming Tomb Raider reboot. As expected, the 28-year-old Swedish actress’s take on the iconic heroine differs heavily from the Angelina Jolie films of old — not to mention the old PlayStation games — and for good reason: the film is based on Crystal Dynamics’ acclaimed 2013 video game reboot of the same name. Like that game, the movie will focus of Croft’s origin story and, as Uthaug puts it, “it’s a story that not only highlights her incredible physical accomplishments but delves deeper into her humanity.”

Check out an excerpt of GQ‘s interview with Uthaug below and head on over to the publication’s website to read it in its entirety.

Tomb Raider hits theaters in 2018.

How far along are you in filming right now?
We are just wrapping up the South African portion of our location shoot and will proceed next to London.

Video game movies have a reputation for disappointing both critics and fans of the games. What will make your Tomb Raider different?
We drew a lot of inspiration and reference from the game and the entire Tomb Raider canon to develop our world, and I believe fans will recognize that. At the same time, this is a completely different theatrical approach to Lara Croft that will offer something new in the origin and development of the character. It’s a story that not only highlights her incredible physical accomplishments but delves deeper into her humanity.

Other than the Tomb Raider franchise, what are your influences for the new movie?
I’m inspired by other modern action movies as well as classic survival movies. And I’m also trying to bring some of my European sensibilities when it comes to character development. Striving to combine all of this into a rollercoaster of a movie.

Have you seen the two Tomb Raider movies starring Angelina Jolie? If so, what do you think of them?
I’ve seen the films—they were a lot of fun and Angelina Jolie was a terrific Lara Croft. We are [making] a very different film, an origin story and I think fans will love Alicia in the role.