One of the worst things about dedicating yourself to a specific fandom is when said fandom is sorely lacking in content. It can be hard to fully immerse yourself in a world that is limited to only one or two mediums. But luckily, that is not the case for the many fans of the Tomb Raider series. With three feature-length films, thirteen expansive video games which follow Lara’s dangerously addictive quests and career, a vast collection of merchandise including and four additional games which explore the origins of our favourite explorer; there is literally no time to be bored in this fandom. But what if I were to tell you that the established content is simply chalked full with even more content than some of the more dedicated fans might not have even noticed?
In order to honor their source material, share inside moments and references with fans and viewers alike, and to create immerse and thoroughly entertaining cinematic adaptations, the movies which make up the Tomb Raider film series are absolutely brimming with loads of hidden references, historic weapons, and action sequences pulled directly from their source material.
Though these films may not have garnered the audience, critic appeal, and ratings that they sorely deserved, if nothing else, they have always been exceptionally entertaining and surprisingly accurate action-adventure pieces. So without further ado, here are twenty-five little details that you may not have noticed in the film adaptations of the beloved Tomb Raider games.
25 Bungee Ballet
Films rarely let their lead actors take part in their own stunts, and for good reason. If the star is injured during the process, filming can be delayed for days (even weeks). If the injury is serious enough, the title role may even have to be recast. Which is an expensive and frustrating process, especially if they’ve already publicly announced their casting choices).
In the 2001 film, Jolie convinced the crew to let her perform the infamous ‘bungee-ballet’ sequence herself.
Jolie ended up hurting her ankle on the literal first take. Reshoots for that scene were scheduled to occur after her recovery.
24 Awe-Struck Aficionados
The 2001 film took many of its action sequences directly from its source material. Experienced players of the series would be familiar with several of her gadgets and weapons; including her reloader belt/backpack as well as the backpack itself and its hammerspace abilities. As well as her ability to draw weapons while somersaulting, her habit of diving into pools of water, and her favorite move: changing/reversing her direction by rolling on the floor (it’s much cooler than it sounds, trust me).
23 A Successful Video Game Adaptation?
Video game adaptations have a bit of a reputation in the film world. In short, they tend to stink. Both fans of the series and curious onlookers tend to walk away disappointed and slightly bored.
Very few video game adaptations have been anything other than a bit of a letdown.
But the Tomb Raider film series has continually debunked expectations with each release (though there is a bit of a debate surrounding the quality of Cradle of Life). In fact, the most recent Tomb Raider film (2018) quickly became one of the highest rated video game adaptations of all time.
22 Sneaky Little Allusions
Here’s a little easter egg for all of you video game lovers out there. In the 2001 film, when Lara begins erratically smashing a hammer into that poor clock, her butler uses a silver tray to shield his face from debris. This is a sneaky little reference to the games as Lara has the ability to shoot at her butler who uses a tray to protect himself in a similar fashion. I do hope Lara pays that poor man well.
21 Real World Aircrafts
Don’t worry aircraft aficionados, I have a little something for you too. You know that decrepit and dilapidated airplane that Lara grips on to for dear life (and ends up inadvertently using it to take an impromptu ride down a treacherous waterfall) in the 2018 film? Well, that plane just so happens to be a Mitsubishi G3M which was often referred to as “Nell” by the Allies. This plane was one of the “heavy bomber” planes and was used throughout World War II.
20 The Legality Of Monikers
When creating a film, it is important to do everything that you can to prevent possible lawsuits. And one of those steps includes getting the production companies legal department to check that filmmakers have permission to use each and every name that has been written into the script. The director of the 2001 film was having a bit of difficulty getting the legal teams approval on the name of Daniel Craig’s character. The character was originally named Alex Mars but was eventually switched to Alex West (the name of the director’s father) as legal permission would be much easier to obtain.
19 Get To The Choppers
You thought I was done with my fun aircraft related facts, weren’t you?
Well, brace yourself, because there truly is more where that came from.
In the 2001, film when Lara Croft and the rest of the Tomb Raiders arrive in Siberia in order to complete their mission before that narrow window in which it can be accomplished closes, they do so in a set of CH-46 Chinook Helicopters (also known as the MH-46), which are the only twin rotor helicopters in the entire U.S. arsenal (and are no longer used).
18 Familiar Battle Cries
The noises which video game characters make when they move, discover things, and attack enemies. These sounds can get quickly repetitive, irritating, and mute-worthy. Even the calmest and stoic of people can find themselves engulfed in rage after continued exposure to these high pitched and constant utterances. But when used in film adaptations, they can become fun little inside references between players and filmmakers. In the 2001 film, when Lara stumbled across a pack of wolves she exclaims “A-ha!”; this sound could be heard in the games whenever Lara acquired an item.
17 Female Fatale
Though it cemented her as an action heroine, Jolie originally outright refused the role of Lara.
This was due to the character's infamously controversial chest.
Jolie also found issue with the character's trademark short shorts but eventually agreed to the role based solely on the rich and diverse locations in which filming would occur. A small amount of padding was used in the first film but Jolie vetoed the padding for the sequel; though she did eventually agree to wear the shorts as keeping the character as close to her original design as possible was prioritized.
16 Family For Hire
Sometimes a healthy amount of nepotism can speed up production and aid the storyline. In the 2001 film, the role of Lara’s father (which existed exclusively in flashbacks and dream sequences) was played by Jolie’s real-life paternal figure, the one and only Jon Voight. Fun fact: Angelina’s birth name was registered as Angelina Jolie Voight which means that both actresses to take on the role of Lara Croft share the same initials, as Alicia Vikander took over the coveted role in 2018.
15 Cure In Aisle 3
In the 2003 film, there is a scene in which the many passengers on board of a private jet are exposed to a specific strain of the Ebola virus thanks to the infected character of Jonathan Reiss.
The cure for this virus comes in the form of a clear capsule filled with tiny little black beads.
But in reality, a magical cure-all pill this was not. The pills used during this sequence were actually just a Chinese herbal medical cure for an upset stomach which was picked up from a local market.
14 I'll Have What She's Having
I’ll be honest, I am not the biggest fan of trailers. Though I do enjoy the old-fashioned narrated trailers which acted as a bit of an appetizer for upcoming films, I feel as though that recent multipart trailers serve as the main course and there is usually no detail of the film's plot left out by the time the final trailer is released. However, there was a brief moment in the 2018 film’s trailer that made me smile. In this trailer, Croft buys two Heckler and Koch USP Match handguns as a direct reference to the original Jolie films as these were Jolie’s stunt weapons of choice.
13 Lethal Weather Patterns
In the 2018 film, the obscurity of the island is never directly explained. In the video game from which it is based, it is explained that the island is protected from explorers by the spirit of its fallen Queen’s supernatural weather-controlling powers. But the film simplifies things by leaving out this storyline entirely and simply alluding to this element of gameplay with stormy weather upon arrival which clears up by the film's resolution.
Neither of which are directly commented on by the film's characters.
12 Banned In The East
Hollywood is no stranger to controversy, especially on an international spectrum. Many films have found themselves edited, cut, and even outright banned due to the dominant politics, cultural norms, and religious beliefs of foreign nations. And the Tomb Raider series is no exception. The 2003 film found itself banned outright in China, the official statement claiming that this was due to the fact that “it damaged China’s reputation, giving the impression of a country in chaos, with no government, and overrun by secret societies.”
11 Queen Anne's Cameo
Sometimes action sequences can get a bit repetitive.
The best way to shake them up is to through in some real-life moves, strategies, and stances. At one point in the 2003 film, Lara is going toe to toe with an enemy and she incapacitates him using a series of highly sophisticated movements with an antique rifle she acquired. Fun fact: those movements were directly taken from the official Queen Anne Salute which is one of the moves used by the U.S. Army Drill Team.
10 Taken Straight From The Source
Out of all of the films in the Tomb Raider lexicon, the 2018 adaptation is by far the closest to its original source material. This film actually includes full live-action sequences from the video game including replications of game mechanics, fighting stances, and a few gross sequences (that honestly could have been left out but I appreciate the effort). It is important to note, however, that the supernatural elements in which the 2013 game was based around were removed (and replaced with an ancient disease) in order to simplify the stories complex plot for film audiences.
9 Realistic Battle Armor
In the 2003 film, Lara Croft finds herself battling Chen Lo amongst a large set of terracotta warriors. There is one moment in which a terracotta statue is smashed and one can clearly see that the headpiece was entirely separate from the piece which made up the torso.
Fun fact: this damage reveals the legitimate way in which the terracotta warrior statues were crafted.
The two pieces would have been created separately before being combined at later stages in the crafting process.
8 Look Ma! No Wires!
In the 2003 film, there is a scene in which Lara Croft and her aid jump off a building while equipped with specialized wingsuits. Though Jolie was not allowed to perform this stunt herself and was forced to leave the action up to her stunt double, the two stuntmen who performed this sequence did so without the aid of CGI, wires, nets, or any other forms of special effects. These suits were invented by a man named Patrick de Gayardon who was attempting to create a new form of parachute for recreational use.
7 Sizable Developments
Alicia Vikander had similar hesitations regarding Lara’s infamous chest, but the new Lara decided to forgo enhancements altogether. Instead, both Vikander and the filmmakers decided it would be best to focus on Lara Croft’s physical strength in order to create true-to-the-source yet realistic and engaging action sequences for the character. Since the 2013 game focuses mostly on Lara’s insane grip strength, it was important to the filmmakers to create a Lara that could realistically perform such physical strength based tasks. By the end of training, Vikander had put on nearly 12 lbs of muscle for the role.
6 Recurring Themes
Sometimes it really is all about the little details. Any faithful adaptation or remake will do its best to throw a bone or a little nod to its original source material.
And the 2018 Tomb Raider film is no different.
When Lara first enters the Croft company, the background track which can be heard during this scene in “Piano Concerto in F Minor” by Johann Sebastian Bach. Fun fact: the same song can be heard playing in the 2001 film while Lara is performing her infamous bungee ballet.