Actress Sophie Turner is doing little to ease the minds of some concerned Tomb Raider fans. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the star — who will play Lara Croft in Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming live-action series — said she will not portray the character as a “sex bombshell.”
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft (2024), Aspyr, Crystal Dynamics
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The comment has intensified debate within the Tomb Raider community about whether the new series, from creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, will remain faithful to the spirit of the games. Since her debut in 1996, Lara Croft has been defined by a blend of sex appeal, athleticism, and lethal competence — traits that together shaped one of gaming’s most recognizable icons.
A New Take on an Icon
Actors often speak about how a costume informs performance. With Lara Croft — whose tank top, shorts, and twin pistols became instantly recognizable — image has always been central to the character’s mythology. Over the years, however, she has also developed a distinct personality that fans have come to expect. The character has appeared in two other live-action films, as well as comic books and animated series.
A scene from Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (2024), Netflix
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In her interview, Turner drew a sharp contrast between Lara Croft for the Amazon series and Lara Croft in the games. “It’s about her and her story and what drives her, rather than what so many people also love about her, which is how hot she is in the games and the movies,” she said. “But I really want to show the other side. She’s so unashamedly capable. She is not a woman who hides her strengths at all.”
Image vs. Identity
From the start, Turner’s look in the role has raised concern among gamers. The first promotional images show Turner in Lara Croft’s traditional outfit, but some fans felt the actress did not fully embody the character. YouTuber the Critical Drinker said, “They’ve definitely got the outfit down, so props for that one at least. But all I’m seeing is some random actress cosplaying as Lara.”
They’ve definitely got the outfit down, so props for that one at least. But all I’m seeing is some random actress cosplaying as Lara.
— The Critical Drinker (@TheCriticalDri2) January 15, 2026
More backlash erupted with the release of the first production images from the show. Rather than showing Lara Croft in her traditional shorts and tank top, the new on-set images had Turner in tactical gear: a blue vest, gray pants, long sleeves, and combat boots.
NEW on-set photos of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in the live action ‘TOMB RAIDER’ series! pic.twitter.com/9ErhalVqxp
— Geeks + Gamers (@GeeksGamersCom) February 6, 2026
Now, Turner is offering insight that goes beyond Lara Croft’s look and into how she is approaching the character.
The Evolution of a Gaming Legend
Angelina Jolie was the first to bring Lara Croft to life in a pair of 2000s action films. Both were commercially successful and seemed to balance sex appeal and spectacle, while still maintaining the central core of a strong and capable woman. Jolie’s portrayal reflected the heightened action aesthetic of the early 2000s, when stylized spectacle dominated the genre.
Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) – Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers, YouTube
Jolie’s costume wasn’t a perfect replica of the games, but the films leaned into the stylized fantasy that defined early Tomb Raider. At the heart of the character, however, has always been a larger question: what makes Lara Croft iconic beyond the label of “sex bombshell”?
A 2018 attempt to revive the franchise starred Alicia Vikander in a Lara Croft origin story inspired by the 2013 game reboot. Both featured a more grounded version of the character, suggesting a gradual evolution of Lara Croft over time.
The Challenge of Reinvention
Turner’s comments suggest a version of Lara Croft shaped less by spectacle and more by interiority. That may resonate with newer audiences. But for longtime fans, Lara’s confidence, athleticism, and sex appeal were never mutually exclusive traits — they were part of the same larger-than-life fantasy.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft (2024), Aspyr, Crystal Dynamics
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As the Amazon series moves closer to release, the real question isn’t whether Lara Croft can evolve. She always has. The question is whether this evolution feels like expansion — or subtraction.
What do you think of Sophie Turner saying that her Lara Croft won’t be a “sex bombshell”? Let us know in the comments!
She is going to be a Cosplaying Karen, not Lara Croft.
She won’t be after a Lost Tombs treasure, but the Manager.
Ha! Indeed. They should just come straight, and call it, “Tomb Karen”.
This will be my name for it, henceforth, anyway.
“And in today’s new, the new Tomb Raider show was already canceled before it even aired!” 🤪
Just put her in a burqa and be done with it.
More modern garbage inc.
Thank you for warning us to NOT to see this crap Ms. Turner..
This is going to be yet another girl boss feminist drivel show.
Also really hard trying to be a “sex bombshell” when you are a 5 at most!!!
Of course Lara Croft can’t be a “sex bombshell” in this show. Look at the actress playing her.
That was obvious from the casting of Turner.
That was pretty obvious as soon as they cast Sophie Turner – she doesn’t look even a little bit like Lara Croft.
We already knew that. Sophie Turner is meh at best.
So Sophie states that the show is NOT about what people “love about her: how hot she is.”
🙄🙄🙄
Fornicate ye off, airhead feminists, Sophie, PWB, etc. These woke, hateful cretinesses will not rest until they destroyed another iconic White character (too White) and slag off the savages-civilising British Empire and its colonies.
Lara is hot… and a strong character. This sounds like a mid (at best) actress looking for her excuse as to why she can’t embody (hehe) all facets of the character.