The last time the pilot of the Millennium Falcon career-transitioned into archaeology, it worked out pretty well for everyone involved. Now it appears that it’s happening again. Daisy Ridley, the breakout star of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is in talks to take over the title role in Tomb Raider, the upcoming adaptation of the popular video game series.
The rumor began nearly two weeks ago, when Deadline reported that Ridley was “one of a number of actresses being considered” for the upcoming Tomb Raider reboot. As a news story it was laughable, since anyone who has ever worked behind the scenes knows that the actors/actresses being considered for any major role are essentially anyone who looks the part, is already famous and/or just appeared in another hit movie. There was no evidence to suggest that she had even taken a meeting about it. The studio just seemed to be aware that she was just in Star Wars and looked a bit like Lara Croft.
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Also: Disney Announces ‘Indiana Jones 5’ in 2019
But this is a little different: Daisy Ridley has told Hollywood Reporter that there “have been conversations” about her taking over the role (previously played by Angelina Jolie in 2001 and 2003, and by Chanel Preston in Tomb Raider XXX in 2012). “I’m waiting for someone to say ‘I want you, let’s do it,’” she continued, before pointing out that the film doesn’t even have a script yet.
So although this is not set in stone, and indeed the film may not even go into production at all (since who the hell knows at this point), the possibility is there and the precedent has been set. The Star Wars movies may be successful but they aren’t usually a golden ticket for the actors who bring them to life. Most of the franchise’s major stars go on to successful careers but they are often overshadowed by their association with Star Wars. Harrison Ford bucked that trend by starring in a second iconic franchise, the blockbuster Indiana Jones franchise, and eventually a third hit series in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan movies.
It would appear that Daisy Ridley is paying attention, and learning from history… just like an archaeologist is supposed to do.
William Bibbiani (everyone calls him ‘Bibbs’) is Crave’s film content editor and critic. You can hear him every week on The B-Movies Podcast and watch him on the weekly YouTube series Most Craved and What the Flick. Follow his rantings on Twitter at @WilliamBibbiani.
10 Mythical Artifacts Indiana Jones Hasn’t Discovered Yet:
Top Photo: Disney / LucasFilm
10 Mythical Artifacts Indiana Jones Hasn't Discovered Yet
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Indiana Jones and the Golden Fleece
Jason and his Argonauts pursued the Golden Fleece to prove that Jason was the rightful king of Thessaly, fighting off giants with six arms, harpies and more in the process. Indiana Jones would have a heck of a time fighting off those beasts, even with his trusty whip.
Photo: 20th Century Fox
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Indiana Jones and the Hammer of Thor
Thor may be the star of his own Walt Disney franchise, but he's still a mythical being and his hammer is still a work of fiction. A crossover between Indiana Jones and the Marvel Cinematic Universe will probably never happen (although the fans would probably like it), but there's still room to explore traditional Norse mythology in a franchise where myths are very, very real.
Photo: Marvel Studios
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Indiana Jones and the Magic Lamp
Disney has told the story of the magic lamp before, and several times, but the possibilities are endless once you add Indiana Jones into the mix. If you thought Nazis and millionaires went to great lengths to recover the Holy Grail, just imagine what they'd do to acquire three all-powerful wishes.
Photo: Walt Disney
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Indiana Jones and Pandora's Box
Pandora's Box opened, and all the evils of the world spilled out. Perhaps if you found the box today, all the evils could be forced back inside, for better or worse. Indiana Jones could solve all the world's problems in a moment, or possibly make them much, much worse.
Photo: BBC
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Indiana Jones and the Philosopher's Stone
Yes, Harry Potter got there first, but the Philosopher's Stone is an ancient concept that fits tidily into Indiana Jones's own universe. Our archaeologist could pursue the artifact to stop a selfish antagonist from using it to topple the world economy (and live forever, naturally).
Photo: Warner Bros.
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Indiana Jones and the Spear of Longinus
Indiana Jones has dealt with the relics of Jesus Christ before, but in a tale that takes place during the Cold War's nuclear proliferation, the weapon that killed the Son of God might have added dramatic weight. If the Ark of the Covenant could liquify Nazis, imagine what a weapon coated in the blood of God could do...?
Photo: Funimation
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Indiana Jones and the Staff of Moses
Indiana Jones has found "The Staff of Kings" before, but that was in a video game, and Disney probably doesn't think those are canon. Regardless, the fabled walking stick that could part the Red Sea and transform into snakes is certainly a valuable artifact that belongs in a museum. Indiana Jones would risk life and limb to keep it out of the wrong hands.
Photo: Paramount Pictures
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Indiana Jones and the Sword in the Stone
In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade our hero met a knight who found the Holy Grail, so revealing that the king who sent those knights on that quest was a real personal wouldn't be a stretch. But if Excalibur is real, where is it, and who is worthy to wield it and protect the United Kingdom? (It couldn't possibly be an American... could it?)
Photo: Walt Disney
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Indiana Jones and the Undersea Kingdom
Another archaeological myth that Indiana Jones discovered in a video game, and the subject of several drafts of never-produced Indiana Jones screenplays. Atlantis remains one of the most infamous lost treasures in the history of the world. Finding it would be damn near impossible, even for Indiana Jones, and doesn't that sound exciting?
Photo: DC Comics
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Indiana Jones and the Waters of Life
Harrison Ford will be 76 when the next Indiana Jones movie comes out, so seeking out the Fountain of Youth makes a lot of sense from his character's perspective, and might give fans a meaningful way to say goodbye to the character. Sure, Disney already told a Fountain of Youth story in the last Pirates of the Caribbean film, but nobody liked that movie anyway. Indiana Jones could make the myth his own.
Photo: Walt Disney
