In 2016, Alicia Vikander was taking Hollywood by storm. The successful Swedish actress dominates the industry thanks to her award-winning acting skills and killer red carpet prowess.
In April 2016, she was cast as Lara Croft in the 2018 action-adventure film Tomb Raider. With an impressive filmography, including an Oscar win for her supporting role in The Danish Girl, a notable performance as an AI in Ex Machina, and a role in the well-received The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vikander beat out her Tulip Fever (2017) co-star Cara Delevingne for the role. Other actresses considered include Daisy Ridley, Emilia Clarke, and Saoirse Ronan.
Before Alicia Vikander was cast as Lara Croft, Daisy Ridley, Emilia Clarke, Saoirse Ronan, and Cara Delevingne were reportedly the frontrunners for the role (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Alicia Vikander was born on October 3, 1988, and was 28 years old during the principal photography period for the Tomb Raider film from January to June 2017.
The Tomb Raider film was released in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2018, and in the United States on March 16, 2018, which means Vikander was 29 years old when it came out. She celebrated her 30th birthday on October 3, 2018.
Alicia Vikander’s Transformation for Tomb Raider
Magnus Lygdback trained Alicia Vikander for the role of Lara Croft. Lygdback also trained another Swedish actor, Alexander Skarsgård, for his role in The Legend of Tarzan (2016) as Tarzan.
Alicia Vikander stunned in a floral Louis Vuitton silk dress at the European premiere of ‘Tomb Raider’ at Vue West End on March 6, 2018, in London, England (Credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock)
Before filming, Alicia Vikander gained twelve pounds of muscle over four months. However, she lost all the muscle mass she had gained for the role in just three weeks.
Alicia Vikander’s Stunt Work and Dedication
Alicia Vikander worked hard to portray a strong and physically fit Lara Croft in the movie, and she even did some of her own stunts. Despite his regular gym routine, Walton Goggins praised her for being a “powerhouse” and making him feel embarrassed to take his shirt off.
Alicia Vikander on Watching Lara Croft as a Child
Alicia Vikander disclosed during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show that watching the iconic character in her childhood was an empowering experience.
Vikander took over the iconic role from Angelina Jolie, who portrayed Lara Croft in two previous films directed by Roar Uthaug. She admitted that she initially felt “ashamed” when she joined the project because none of her friends had ever played the game.
Actress Alicia Vikander in a gold and black Louis Vuitton dress at the Los Angeles Premiere of ‘Tomb Raider’ at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on March 12, 2018, in Hollywood, California (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)
“I also grew up in a time when there was none of my girlfriends who played video games. I was kind of ashamed for doing it,” Vikander shared.
Vikander said she became acquainted with Tomb Raider at a friend’s house and found the game so captivating that it altered her perspective.
“It was a female protagonist in a video game, and I had never seen that. I was a bit too scared to play the whole game when I was about 10, so I mostly spent time doing the tricks and learning her moves in that manner. But yeah, I was a big fan when I was a kid,” she added.
As Alicia Vikander’s career soared with her portrayal of Lara Croft, her presence on the red carpet became equally captivating.
Alicia Vikander’s Stunning Red Carpet Fashion
Alicia Vikander sweeps her hair back at a photo call for “Jason Bourne” held on July 13, 2016, at Hotel Villamagna in Madrid, Spain (Credit: Sean Thorton / Oscar Gonzalez / DyD Fotografos / Future Image / WENN)
In July 2016, Alicia opted for head-to-toe black as she attended a photo call for Jason Bourne in Madrid. She showed off her toned shoulders and legs in a playful LBD from Proenza Schouler’s spring 2016 collection.
Alicia Vikander shows off her legs and shoulders in a black Proenza Schouler dress (Credit: Sean Thorton / Oscar Gonzalez / DyD Fotografos / Future Image / WENN)
The off-the-shoulder flared dress featured a choker-style neckline, velvet tie, ruffle details, and an asymmetric hemline.
Alicia Vikander poses on the black carpet in a ruffled black Proenza Schouler dress (Credit: Sean Thorton / Oscar Gonzalez / DyD Fotografos / Future Image / WENN)
The “Anna Karenina” star let her dress do the talking by accessorizing with only a statement ring and black sandals. She wore her brunette tresses in loose curls and completed the look with red lipstick for a pop of color.
Alicia Vikander wears a dark Proenza Schouler dress to the “Jason Bourne” photo call (Credit: Sean Thorton / Oscar Gonzalez / DyD Fotografos / Future Image / WENN)
We haven’t identified Alicia’s sandals, but they seem to be a leather-and-suede pair with ankle straps, four-inch heels, and tassels at the rear.
Alicia Vikander’s feet in strappy black sandals (Credit: Sean Thorton / Oscar Gonzalez / DyD Fotografos / Future Image / WENN)
Can you help us ID her sandals?
Alicia Vikander’s feet in tassel-accented black sandals (Credit: Sean Thorton / Oscar Gonzalez / DyD Fotografos / Future Image / WENN)