A week ago today, we reported that the upcomingTomb Raiderreboot has finally found its villain, withThe Hateful EightandJustifiedstarWalton Gogginscoming aboard to star as the antagonist, alongsideAlicia Vikanderas Lara Croft. No details have been confirmed about this character, or if he will be based on one of the villains in the video game series. While promoting his new History Channel seriesSix, based on the real life exploits of Navy SEAL Team Six,Walton Gogginsshed some new light on this character. Here’s what he had to say, teasing that this villain is much more complex.
“Is he avillain? Sure, that is an easy description. An antagonist, for sure. But [like other characters] I have been so lucky to have the opportunity to play over the course of my career, there are real reasons behind his antagonism, and it’s not what you’d expect. He is very complicated, and his motivations are pure.”
The actor added in his interview withYahoo! Movieshow excited he is to take on this role, adding, “I’ve got my d-n Tomb Raider saddlebag! I am ready to get lost in a godd-n tomb!” While very little is known about the story, it has been confirmed that this reboot is based on the Square Enix video game reboot that hit the shelves in 2013, with the story reportedly following ayoung Lara Croft, as she searches for her father. While he wouldn’t offer any specific plot details,Walton Gogginsdid reveal how much he admires directorRoar Uthaugand his co-star,Alicia Vikander.
“This director is an extraordinarilytalented filmmaker, andAlicia VikanderI’ve met a few times, we have some friends in common, but I just think she’s one of the greatest contributions to any generation of actors, man. That for me was just a wonderful opportunity. But more importantly, the story is so good. It’s so good! I think I can say this: For me, it’s likeRaiders of the Lost Arkmeets a genre version of the Joseph Conrad novelVictory: An Island Tale. I just jumped at the chance.”
This summer, MGM set a March 16, 2018release dateforTomb Raider, which is currently the only movie slated for release on that date. It will arrive one week after Disney’sWreck-it Ralph 2and one week before Lionsgate’sRobin Hood: Origins, Sony’sPeter Rabbitand 20th Century Fox’sAnnubis. It remains to be seen how many more characters need to be cast inTomb Raider, as we inch closer and closer to production starting early next year.
