British Gymnast Alison Carroll is New Lara Croft

Posted on August 11, 2008

Eidos Interactive has revealed that 23-year-old British gymnast Alison Carroll will be the new face of famed videogame character Lara Croft. Carroll will portray the heroine for the next year, with her first appearances to be made promoting the latest installment to the gaming franchise, Tomb Raider: Underworld, which ships November 2008.

The new Lara Croft's role is essentially a promotional one but as a gymnast Alison has no problem moving around as Lara Croft as you can see in the video below. The Daily Mail and London Telegraph have more photographs of Alison Carroll as Lara Croft.

"This is a fantastic opportunity and I look forward to embracing Lara's world," said Alison Carroll. "It's unbelievable how realistic her movements are in Tomb Raider: Underworld and it's so gratifying to be able to use my years of gymnastic training to portray such a beloved character."

Alison Carroll will be following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie, Karima Adebibe, Jill de Jong and Nell McAndrew and several other actresses and models who have played Lara Croft either in games, movies or as promoters. Wikipedia has a full list on its Lara Croft entry.

"With her tremendous athletic ability and striking look, we feel Alison embodies the spirit and strength of Lara Croft," said Robert A. Lindsey, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Eidos Inc. "We're excited to be working with her for the launch of Tomb Raider: Underworld and beyond, and can't wait to see the reactions of Tomb Raider fans around the world to Alison's uncannily realistic portrayal of Lara."

TOMB RAIDER