Behind The Scenes With Simon Crane

Simon Crane is stunt co-ordinator for Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of LIfe. In this exclusive internet only footage, skate star Mat Hoffman takes us behind the scenes of the film whilst filming was based at Pinewood studios, England.

Facing her greatest challenges and dangers yet, Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) shows off her physical prowess like never before. During this exciting installment of her adventures, the intrepid tomb raider jet skies, rides horses, motorcycles and much more through such exotic locations as Hong Kong, Kenya, Wales, Greece and Africa as she searches for an infamous site known as “The Cradle of Life.”

Brought to the screen by the original Tomb Raider producers, Lawrence Gordon (Die Hard, 48 Hours) and Lloyd Levin (Boogie Nights), Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life is directed by Jan De Bont (Speed, Twister), and stars Angelina Jolie (Girl Interrupted, Original Sin) along with returning cast members Noah Taylor (Vanilla Sky) and Christopher Barrie (Red Dwarf). Gerard Butler (Timeline), Ciaran Hinds (The Road To Perdition, The Sum of All Fears) and Djimon Hounsou (The Four Feathers, Gladiator) join the cast of the film, which is executive produced by Jeremy Heath Smith (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider).

"The combination of an action director like Jan De Bont and our greatest asset, Angelina Jolie, makes this the perfect marriage," says producer Lawrence Gordon. "In addition, we have an incredibly inventive story that entertains and advances the characters." "We're raising the stakes significantly with the sequel, telling an edgier, more dangerous and exciting tale," adds producer Lloyd Levin. "Lara is taking us on a wildly ambitious journey this time, and I'm especially looking forward to watching Angelina rise to the challenge."

The Cradle of Life develops the character of aristocratic Lara Croft, the beautiful sexy heroine of Eidos Interactive's phenomenally successful, Tomb Raider game series. For an action director like Jan De Bont, the film is exactly the kind of roller coaster ride that made his reputation. "I have always been in love with the Lara Croft character in Tomb Raider and was convinced it would make a fantastic franchise," says De Bont. "To have an incredibly exciting heroine like her is the most ideal thing for a director like me. Add to that Angelina Jolie, who is both talented and daring enough to do her own stunts, and we have something really amazing." Dean Georgaris' script is based on an original story by Kirk Petruccelli & Lloyd Levin.

Stemming from the Eidos Interactive Game Series developed by Core Design, The Cradle of Life pits Lara Croft against her greatest challenges and dangers yet, and her physical prowess is tested as never before. During the course of filming this exciting installment of the Lara Croft saga, the production will travel from Hong Kong to Kenya and from Wales to Greece. In addition, elaborate interior and exterior sets, built at the production's home base, Pinewood Studios, located outside London, will bring the world of Lara Croft vividly to life. Before she took on the role of Lara Croft, Angelina Jolie embarked on a serious training regime to regain the physical aptitude she displayed in the first Tomb Raider.

Release Date: 22 Aug 2003
Cert: TBC
Running Time: TBC
Distributer: UIP

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