Interview appeared in the November 1997 issue of FHM magazine. Article was written up on fansite 'The Tomb Raider Archive'. VL Note: This interview is long and it is full of awful non-gaming questions with some cringey answers, but it was conducted in 1997 for a mens magazine.
Sex and videogames don't usually mix too well. Indeed, the popular view is that men who play them have such poor complexions and social skills that they've been forced to replace the pleasures of the flesh with bashing the hell out of pixellated monsters. In short, successful users of the chat-up line "I've top scored on Story Of Thor 2" are few and far between.
However, there is one exception to the rule. In November 1996, Tomb Raider appeared, featuring the adventures of Lara Croft. The premise of the game was that Lara, the daughter of an English aristocrat, had decided to forego her inheritance in favour of travelling around the world in search of ancient artefacts. As with most adventure games, this involved plenty of running, jumping, swimming and shooting. But unlike other games, its central character became the computer world's first sex symbol, and Lara Croft quickly catapulted Tomb Raider to the top of the games charts. With her ample chest and powerful thighs, Lara was created as the gamer's ultimate fantasy figure and the strategy worked.
Now, for the imminent release of the sequel, Tomb Raider 2, Lara is made flesh. And fortunately for us, it's in the form of 22-year-old actress Rhona Mitra, a woman sexy enough to equal the charms of the video character. As well as appearing in the press campaign for Tomb Raider 2, Rhona has recorded an album as Lara (produced by ex-Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart), from which the single, Getting Naked, is to be released next month. There is even talk of a Tomb Raider movie, for which Rhona ought to be a shoe-in for the lead role - a heady jump from her last big part, playing a teenage seductress in Jilly Cooper's The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous.
So, to celebrate the arrival of the new sexiest woman in Britain, what did we do? Take lots of fantastic pictures of her? Of course. Ask her a shed-load of questions about what it's like to play a character invented to satisfy the libido if a twenty-something programmer? Certainly. But first we took her to London's Trocadero centre to see if she could cut the mustard in the original gaming arena - an amusement arcade.
The truth is, she's pretty adept. She powers past three (male) opponents on an arm wrestling machine, gives a credible display at dynamo-hockey and is equally at ease bombing about on the virtual skate-boards. Her strongest suit, though, is the bowling range. After a slow start, three spares in a row see her powering into the lead as FHM skew another ball into the gutter.Only two consecutive(and highly suspicious) zero scores in the last two rounds barred the way to victory. And perhaps not surprising for a woman who's beaten stiff competition to play the most lusted after computer game character of all time, she doesn't accept second place for long. "I let you win, you know," she smiles triumphantly.
FHM:
Games fans are notoriously obsessive. Are you ready to be pursued by blokes thinking that you really are Lara Croft?
Rhona Mitra:
After The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous I had a lot of bizarre fan mail. I remember receiving a beautifully-typed letter from twelve boys in Exeter asking if I'd marry them all. Apparently I was supposed to be shared on some kind of weekly rota system. I was thinking, "Hmm, two a day. How am I supposed to manage that?" And I've already had people post notes on the Lara Croft website thanking me for improving their sex-lives.
FHM:
And how exactly have they done that?
Rhona Mitra:
They get their girlfriends to dress up as Lara, like I do. Apparently, it works wonders for them - maybe it's the rubber outfit.
FHM:
Do you think it's scary that there are men out there fantasising over a computer-generated character?
Rhona Mitra:
No, because men will fantasise about anything. Compared to a sheep or whatever, I think Lara's quite a healthy fantasy. What's wrong with wanting to sleep with a computer-generated character? She's got a perfect figure after all.
FHM:
Talking of perfect figures, there was a story in the tabloids about you having a breast enlargement operation performed by your dad...
Rhona Mitra:
That was rubbish. My dad is a surgeon and he does do cosmetic surgery, but he doesn't perform breast operations. I don't think he was too bothered about it, though - apparently a load of people phoned up the hospital where he works, the next day asking for tits like Rhona Mitra.
FHM:
But you have had your breasts enlarged.
Rhona Mitra:
Yes, but my dad had nothing to do with it.
FHM:
Where does the name Mitra come from?
Rhona Mitra:
It's Indian - my dad is from Calcutta. But I'm also part Irish. It's a confusing heritage. I never know if want to be running across fields with no clothes on or sitting in the pub drinking Guinness.
FHM:
The Lara Croft single is called Getting Naked. When was the last time you were naked in a public place?
Rhona Mitra:
I don't think going starkers in a public place is especially commendable. You can go to Stringfellow's for that. Although they don't get it all off there, do they? The song is really about one night stands and a woman saying that she'll go so far but not the whole hog. Why does all frolicking have to end in penetration?
FHM:
Does Lara have sex, then?
Rhona Mitra:
I should bloody well hope so. I'm sure she wouldn't be the woman she is unless she did.
FHM:
You recorded half the album sailing down the Amazon in Dave Stewert's boat. If the boat had run aground, would you have been prepared to eat him in order to survive?
Rhona Mitra:
Hmm, he hasn't really got enough fat on him...
FHM:
That beard might have been a bit tough to chew as well. Maybe you could have stuck it on your face when you'd finished eating the rest of him.
Rhona Mitra:
I would have worn the beard proudly. It's a fine feature.
FHM:
You were expelled from two boarding schools. Naughty girl, were you?
Rhona Mitra:
No, I just had a problem with complying with the rules. I went to convent school and it was totally ridiculous. We weren't even allowed to go into town at the weekend. So we used to nick holy wine from the church and drink it in the potato patch at the back of the school. I remember one time me and a few girls ended up dancing in the garden at four in the morning, wearing nothing but wellington boots.
FHM:
Is that why they kicked you out?
Rhona Mitra:
No, that was for taking a sixth former's car and driving it down to the local boys' school. I was only about fourteen. I'd left stuffing under my bedsheets but one of my friends told on me and the headmistress tracked me down. They put me in this room with bars on the windows to punish me. I was stuck in there for a whole week with just a rosary for comfort, having my dinner brought in on trays. The only time I got out was to say confession to the school priest. After that, they booted me out. Then at the next school the other girls used to blame me whenever they got caught for something, so all the parents wrote in and said they didn't want me at the school. I crammed my exams in London and did fine.
FHM:
You recently said that Lara represents the woman of the future. So what is the woman of the future going to be like?
Rhona Mitra:
She'll be more robust. In order to be strong in the mind, women are going to have to build up their bodies. Having a big arse will be alright, having a big pair of breasts will be alright, as long as they exercise as well.
FHM:
We had a discussion in the office about men of the future, and we reckon that evolution will make their heads and penises bigger.
Rhona Mitra:
Sounds good to me.
FHM:
Okay. Let's test your credentials for playing Lara Croft. To start with, when was the last time you raided a tomb?
Rhona Mitra:
Er, I haven't. I only raid my friends' wardrobes. And my dad's drinks cabinet when I was a kid.
FHM:
Would you take on a bear unarmed?
Rhona Mitra:
I'd probably try and cuddle and sweet-talk it. I've charmed men worse than bears.
FHM:
Can you handle yourself in a fight?
Rhona Mitra:
Absolutely. I had the whole Swiss army after me once. I was skiing with friends and we were getting hassled by some guys who wanted us to dance. They ended up calling us dykes and then turned nasty. I kicked one in the ribcage. It turned out that he was with a load of Swiss army guys and they chased us up the road. We ran faster than them, though.
FHM:
Some Tomb Raider websites feature a nude Lara Croft. Would you ever emulate them and do Playboy?
Rhona Mitra:
I'd never say never. But not right now. It's not even negotiable.
FHM:
What about the orgasmic noises Lara makes when she bumps into walls? Have you been perfecting those?
Rhona Mitra:
Oh yes, of course. Listen. [Makes weird orgasmic noise not unlike "Uuh!"]
FHM:
Lara spends most of her time in caves full of gun-wielding nutters. What's the most dangerous situation you've been in?
Rhona Mitra:
I got buried under sand in Tunisia. I've just shot a film there called A Kid In The Arabian Knights. We were supposed to be mocking up this sandstorm and I was buried right up past my head, but I couldn't breathe because the sand was so heavy. I had to breath through a bamboo straw for about twenty minutes. The crew were getting their cameras up and I was screaming "Hurry the fuck up, I'm dying under here."
FHM:
Did you used to play computer games when you were growing up? I remember getting hooked Jet Set Willy on the ZX Spectrum.
Rhona Mitra:
I had an Atari. I used to play that tennis game where you had two bats at either end of the screen and had to try and keep the ball in play.
FHM:
You mean Pong!
Rhona Mitra:
That's the one. But I used to do a lot of things to entertain myself. Do you remember those portable tape recorders that had flat speakers on the top? I used to put a piece of cellophane on top of the speaker and crumble biscuits on top of it. I'd then play Super Trooper by Abba at full volume and watch the crumbs jump up and down with the vibrations.
FHM:
Blimey. You were easily pleased.
Rhona Mitra:
That's not all. I loved pouring yoghurt all over my dog and watching him lick it off himself. And when my parents had dinner parties I'd chop up his dog food into chunks, put cocktail sticks in it and then walk around the living room in a sari asking if anyone wanted hors d'oeuvres.
FHM:
The guests must have loved you. Have you carried any bizarre habits or phobias into adulthood?
Rhona Mitra:
I can't sit still. That's why I'm very difficult in a relationship. Men get jealous of me travelling - they don't understand that just because I disappear on my own doesn't mean I'm going to shag someone else.
FHM:
Have you always been faithful?
Rhona Mitra:
Always. But I can appreciate why people wouldn't be. It's like ice-cream - you can really love vanilla, but you still want to try some other flavours just to make sure that you really do love vanilla best. I haven;t actually been out with that many men. I've been in two relationships which have taken up five years of my life. The second one of those recently ended and since then I've concentrated on my work.
FHM:
What kind of man do you go for?
Rhona Mitra:
I like healthy-looking guys with good, clean skin. And I like men who have brains but are still very childish. Immature guys.
FHM:
Are you actually any good at Tomb Raider?
Rhona Mitra:
Yeah. I finished it in about two weeks.
FHM:
I heard that Bruce Willis has bought the rights to the Tomb Raider movie and that Demi Moore is pencilled in to play Lara. Could you have her?
Rhona Mitra:
Oh yeah, of course.
FHM:
Be careful. After filming GI Jane, she's quite buff these days.
Rhona Mitra:
So am I. And I'm younger than her. The idea of her playing Lara is sacrilege. She has to be a posh English girl with a stiff upper lip.
FHM:
Finally, elsewhere in this issue we discuss the phenomenon of lesbianism. Have you ever been tempted by the charms of another girl?
Rhona Mitra:
Any woman who says she hasn't isn't truly a woman. Even if you don't go as far as doing something physical, you should be able to appreciate the female form. Men are beautiful too, though.
All rights belong to FHM and/or their affiliated companies. I only intend to introduce people to old articles and preserve them before they are lost.
Interview appeared on Irish Times website, dated to 13th April 1998. VL Note: The factfile at the end inaccurately uses information written by the fan Richard Pugh, who wrote his own biography for Lara Croft when there wasn't an official biography at the time.
After an incredible debut in the original Tomb Raider, Lara Croft rubberstamped her success in its sequel, Tomb Raider II. She is the queen of computer games, the world's first virtual sex symbol, with no competition worth talking about (unless Mario takes your fancy). Last week Computimes managed to track her down - via the Net of course - to a quiet location 55 kilometres outside Lima, Peru, where Lara often likes to unwind after her escapades. The following are excerpts from our virtual interview.
Irish Times:
Not so long ago you were a completely unknown entity and in a relatively short space of time you have become a world famous heroine and sex symbol. How has this fame affected you - has it changed you as a person?
Lara Croft:
I've always been my own person, and fame will never change my attitude to life. If I did my family and friends would not be slow in informing me if my opinions of myself got out of hand. Fame has its difficulties but I just tend to get on with it.
Irish Times:
Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider 2 are rated as two of the best games of all time. How big a part in their success do you think you played?
Lara Croft:
Well, like any project like this it was a team effort. I was just another cog in the machine. But I like to think that I brought a different dimension to the games that set them apart.
Irish Times:
But you're the first female character in a computer game to hit the big time. Do you think it will encourage more females to participate in playing these games?
Lara Croft:
I certainly hope so. Yeah I am sure it will, but I think Tomb Raider has already brought video games into more people's lives, whether they are male or female. It has helped make them more mainstream - not just for spotty teenagers in dark bedrooms.
Irish Times:
Do you like to get to grips with the odd game or two yourself?
Lara Croft:
When I get the time, sure, but I am very busy and my schedule doesn't really allow me much time to indulge as often as I would like.
Irish Times:
What could be so important to hinder your desires for playing computer games?
Lara Croft:
Well [laughs], I do have to fund my jaunts every now and then. I publish some adventure novels based on my travels and write various articles and abstracts for various scholarly publications. And then I do like to do some real adventuring myself as you may have gathered.
Some people would say you are a protagonist of Girl Power, some have even referred to you as "Virtual Spice". Are you comfort- able with those analogies?
What people say or don't say isn't really relevant to me. If it inspires people to do something that they really want to do then I am all for it. It isn't as easy as it sounds. I don't know if you are aware but I was the only survivor of a plane crash on may way home from a school trip. I was stranded in the Himalayas for almost two weeks. It had a profound effect on me. The experience convinced me that life was for living and that I was going to make the most of it.
Irish Times:
Your adventures have brought you to many exotic locations. Have you any plans to visit Ireland?
Lara Croft:
I'd love to go to Ireland, it really appeals to me. My great grandmother was Irish, you know - she lived in Chapelizod on the outskirts of Dublin. But really I have no plans as of yet and anyway you would just assume it would be a location in my next adventure.
Irish Times:
So, the question we all want to know - there will be another Tomb Raider?
Lara Croft:
Well nobody knows right now. Everybody including myself needs a good break before any talk of another game.
Irish Times:
Tomb Raider has often been compared to Mario 64 on the Nintendo. Have you ever met the man himself?
Lara Croft:
No, though I am a great admirer of his work (but I also have been known to shoot small, fast moving targets).
Irish Times:
Yes, you have been known to down a few animals with your Uzis, you're obviously not a great animal lover. . .
Lara Croft:
On the contrary - I love animals. I only ever use my weapons in self-defence. I don't do it for fun you know!
Irish Times:
Finally, where do you see yourself in 10 years' time? Do you plan to stay around in video games or have you any other plans?
Lara Croft:
Well there are all sorts of discussions going on at the moment so who knows what the future entails. But one thing is for sure I won't be needing a body double in this millennium or the next.
Factfile:
BORN on St Valentine's day in 1967, Lara Croft started her education in Cheltenham college for girls. She is the daughter of the wealthy Lord Henshingly Croft, but was disowned by her father (her mother is deceased) for not complying with his aspirations for her - i.e. to get married, have kids and settle down. She has a BA in linguistics, an MSc in anthropology and most recently a PhD in archaeology from the University of Chicago. She currently lives alone in a mansion in Surrey.
All rights belong to Irish Times and/or their affiliated companies. I only intend to introduce people to old articles and preserve them before they are lost.
Interview appeared on Gamespot UK website as part of their 'Lara Week' in promotion of Tomb Raider 2. This interview appeared on Friday.
This Friday Lara Croft gets a new look thanks to graphic designer Stewart Arkinson and rest of the development team. They've been working around the clock to get Tomb Raider II finished for those all important pre-Christmas sales. Their lack of sleep should be offset by the royalties for the new game (each one should receive a cheque for at least six figures).
GameSpot UK:
What was the biggest challenges on Tomb Raider II?
TR2 Team:
Getting it finished on time!
Seriously though, I guess the biggest challenge was to include all the new elements such as new moves, Lara's ponytail etc, plus to improve gameplay. We had a lot of feedback saying that the original game didn't have enough action. This time we've got a 50-50 balance between action and exploration. We had a few problems fitting all the new levels into the game as our map designers got a bit carried away...! The end result is a much bigger game that will last for even longer.
GameSpot UK:
What's the most important improvement you've made to Tomb Raider II?
TR2 Team:
Some would say it's Lara's ponytail!!! There are a lot of very subtle improvements such as refined control of Lara and an improved camera system but the most important is probably the new lighting effects such as the flares, flickers and gun-flashes. It really makes the game more realistic and atmospheric when you can mess around properly with the lighting.
GameSpot UK:
Is Lara Croft bigger than the game?
TR2 Team:
Well, she is certainly better known amongst the general public than she was this time last year!
I guess in some ways she can stand alone from the game. A lot of the media coverage such as 'The Face' and 'FHM' has concentrated on Lara rather than the game. This has resulted in lots of people recognising Lara but when you ask them about the actual game they're pretty clueless! Lara seems to have become a bit of an industry icon and is often associated with 'Girl Power'. I think we were very lucky with our timing: Lara was born just as the whole Girl Power thing was taking off. Her no-nonsense, independent attitude really seems to appeal to the mainstream media. Of course, the way she looks has a lot to do with her success but she's also the first female games character who has been given a credible personality.
GameSpot UK:
What's the difference between the PlayStation and PC versions?
TR2 Team:
Not much. The PC looks super cool in high resolution, but the PlayStation version has some neat transparencies and other effects.
GameSpot UK:
What's the minimum Spec for Tomb Raider II?
TR2 Team:
A PlayStation or a P90 with 16MB RAM.
GameSpot UK:
Which levels best show off the PC 3D support?
TR2 Team:
Take your pick! They all look silky smooth when accelerated, but as to which level is best it's impossible to say! We hope that each level has something for everyone.
GameSpot UK:
Lara has had a bit of a make-over in Tomb Raider II, why did you do this and who idea was it?
TR2 Team:
The new game engine has allowed us to give all the characters a lot more detail so we've been able to smooth out a few of those rough bits and give her a ponytail...
GameSpot UK:
What's your favourite enemy in Tomb Raider II and why?
TR2 Team:
The scuba diver? The yeti? The moray eels? We all have our own favourites it seems! Again, it's a personal thing. Nearly all the enemies are brand new with the exception of the rats! You'll find that there are plenty of human baddies as well as animals. All enemies are a lot more intelligent than TR1, so you'll need to have your wits about you, especially with some of the human characters.
GameSpot UK:
Do think there's enough mileage in character for a third instalment of Tomb Raider?
TR2 Team:
We shall have to see - at present there isn't enough mileage in us to even contemplate doing it again without a very long holiday!!!
GameSpot UK:
Why is Tomb Raider II going to be the game of the year?
TR2 Team:
We hope that we've added enough new stuff to make Tomb Raider II a whole new game instead of just a sequel that includes 'more of the same'. We're expecting people to be more critical this time around - let's just hope it lives up the your expectations. It would be complacent for us to simply assume that everyone who bought the first game will rush out to buy the sequel (but we can always hope!) Lara's new-found fame might encourage a few more sales from people who want to see what all the fuss is about!
GameSpot UK:
Is Lara Croft a spice girl or barbie girl?
TR2 Team:
Neither! She's been labelled 'Digital Spice' and 'Shotgun Spice' amongst other things, but we like to think that she's in a class of her own. Barbie girl - DEFINITELY NOT !!! but look out for the action figure next year!!!
All rights belong to GameSpot and/or their affiliated companies. I only intend to introduce people to old articles and preserve them before they are lost.
GameSpot UK Interview With Lara Croft - Tomb Raider 2
Interview appeared on Gamespot UK website as part of their 'Lara Week' in promotion of Tomb Raider 2. This interview appeared on Wednesday.
Let's face it Lara maybe physically strong and adventurous, but she really doesn't talk much. Except for now, when GameSpot UK caught up with computer gaming's most popular character.
GameSpot UK:
What's it like to be the most successful computer character in history?
Lara Croft:
The history of computer games is terribly short - but if in years to come, I am stood in a dusty museum alongside the ancient ones whose tombs I raid, then I would be very honoured.
GameSpot UK:
When you're not out adventuring what do you like doing?
Lara Croft:
I am supposedly being commissioned to write travel books - but often find that I spend more time alleviating writer's block, brewing a good pot of tea.
GameSpot UK:
You've faced many enemies on your adventures, are there any characters from history you would like to pit your wits against?
Lara Croft:
Well, the great explorer Stanley and a game of the Krypton Factor come to mind...
GameSpot UK:
What do you think about Girl Power?
Lara Croft:
People seem to have made certain associations between myself and this faculty but I'm not totally sure of its implications...if it means getting what you really really want with a pair of fully loaded Uzis, then I can see nothing much wrong with it...
GameSpot UK:
Games fans are notoriously obsessive, how do you cope with all the attention?
Lara Croft:
Well, not many are prepared to stalk me through dark tombs, so I don't worry too much about them...
GameSpot UK:
What's your most embarrassing moment?
Lara Croft:
Probably when I forgot to swap from my own guns in a game of paintball - although really there was of course no one left to be embarrassed in front of...
GameSpot UK:
Who's your ideal man?
Lara Croft:
I enjoy the company of anyone interesting so long as they can keep up with me - although as I have said before, Brian Blessed's determination to climb Everest intrigues me. I would happily spend a day piggy-backing him up there in return for a chat.
GameSpot UK:
Some Tomb Raider Websites feature you nude would you ever do Playboy?
Lara Croft:
It's not something that exactly inspires me and while the net pictures are fake (and not very flattering at that), I do take comfort in the fact that by declining centrefold offers, I am at least helping budding artists to hone their life drawing skills.
GameSpot UK:
What's the most dangerous situation you've been in?
Lara Croft:
Anytime my path has crossed with my Aunty's Corgi...
GameSpot UK:
What's next, any more tombs to raid?
Lara Croft:
That's always an option but I have also had other offers to consider - including working for heritage councils and even animal refuges...
All rights belong to GameSpot and/or their affiliated companies. I only intend to introduce people to old articles and preserve them before they are lost.
This interview is dated mid 1998 and was part of Gamespot.co.uk's focus on a year with Lara, gathering all articles related to Lara Croft in 1998. In this interview, Vicky talks about the [then] upcoming movie, tidbits in Lara's biography and her role as a script writer.
Vicky Arnold is the women behind Lara Croft. Every time you see an interview with Lara the answers are taken from Vicky's script.
In this exclusive interview she tells us what working at Core is like, her views on Lara, and her thoughts on a Tomb Raider movie.
Being A Script Writer
GameSpot UK: Could you tell us how you came to work for Core Design?
Vicky: I think I was happily reading Empire on the beach after completing a degree in Film writing at Bournemouth, when I saw an advert in it for this job. Neither the Asda bakery or a local sandwich shop had wanted to employ me so I figured I'd apply.
GameSpot UK: What does your role as Script writer entail?
Vicky: I'm involved with the story aspect of the Tomb Raider games, writing the action and dialogue for the FMV's, cut-scenes and in-game speech and getting the voices recorded with Nathan the musician. I also receive quite a few interview questions for Lara from magazines.
GameSpot UK: Did you always want to be a writer?
Vicky: No. I became interested in films at about 15, but while I wrote short stories and stuff, I never really thought about the poor souls who actually wrote scripts. I was more interested in the production side of film-making until I got on my college course.
GameSpot UK: Do you play computer games?
Vicky: Not much. I like to muck about with them for a bit but I'm never prepared to invest enough time into them. I did get caught out recently with Pandemonium; I didn't like the look of it much but I just couldn't stop playing it.
Working at Core
GameSpot UK: What's a typical day at Core-Design like?
Vicky: Depends entirely on what stage of the project I'm at. Initial stages are very team-discussion orientated, then later, I shut myself in my room and stare at a blank screen... Highlight of the day is trying to persuade Brian Tomczyk that it's exciting to walk into Derby at lunchtime.
GameSpot UK: Do you work on any of Core's other games?
Vicky: Yes, I'm available for any of the projects. Tomb Raider obviously takes up the most time but I've also worked on Swagman and did a little bit for Ninja.
GameSpot UK: What are the Tomb Raider development team like to work with?
Vicky: The team is always very motivated and so the only problems really come from having to simplify an overload of ideas.
Vicky On Lara
GameSpot UK: How much input have do you have into Lara's character?
Vicky: When I first arrived at Core, Lara was already running about with her 9mms, fully intent on massacring furry animals...but the rest of her character was a bit vague. Toby was always keen on her being upper-class, so I wrote a history and profile for Lara, basically to find how someone from her finishing school background could end up doing what she does.
GameSpot UK: How much input did you have into the plot of the Tomb Raider games?
Vicky: The plot premise is really the teams - and they decide on the locations they want to see in the game. My job is to make this all work structurally; getting Lara from one location to another in the most interesting way and revealing the right information at the right time.
GameSpot UK: How do you get ideas for Lara's character, is she based on a person or persons?
Vicky: I certainly don't know anyone like her. I do remember thinking that Fyona Campbell, who was on a TV documentary at the time, was an interesting comparison considering her background, but she was always just so pissed off. Lara's tone of delivery really came from Wesley in The Princess Bride and also a bit from Benton Fraiser in Due South - though Fraiser relates stories about his grandmother in a time of crisis, while Lara just lets rip with her guns.
GameSpot UK: What are the weirdest questions that you have been asked?
Vicky: 'Are you, or have you ever been, a member of the communist party?' and 'Have you ever spent time in a Turkish prison?', both from an American Magazine; 'Bikini', I think.
GameSpot UK: Why is Lara's ideal man Brian Blessed?
Vicky: Toby's initial character analysis of Lara was something like: 'Lara likes to work with underprivileged children and the mentally disabled. She has a degree in needlework and loves to travel. Lara's one wish is to ski down Everest with Brian Blessed strapped to her back'. The degree in needlework got lost along the way, but magazines are always probing about Lara's ideal man and Brian seemed a likely source of interest for Lara who'd admire his perseverance in trying to climb Everest.
The Lara Movie
GameSpot UK: Who do you think should play Lara in a Tomb Raider movie?
Vicky: Personally, if a film was made, I'd prefer to see a computer-animated one because I think that Lara is best played by herself. But if it was live-action, then it would have to be someone with a convincing upper-class British accent who can look truly at ease with a pair of Uzis.
GameSpot UK: What relationships do you see between a script for a possible movie and Tomb Raider games?
Vicky: I think Lara would need to remain as true to the game character as possible in terms of her style and the way in which she reacts to certain situations, else you could easily lose the connection with the game and be watching just another adventure movie. Obviously the exotic locations Lara finds herself in are a strong part of her lifestyle and like the games, I don't think a film should give much reference to the everday world beyond Lara's own home and the characters she meets. Lara shopping in Oxford street would spoil her enigma a bit.
GameSpot UK: Do you get much feedback from female Lara fans, and if so what?
Vicky: The only feedback I've had is from friends I've talked to and most seem to find Lara an amusingly proportioned individual who does cool stuff. One girl told me about how within a group of male and female students playing the game together, it was actually the girls who were cornering Lara and sniggering at her double D's...which disturbed me somewhat.
