Angelina Jolie won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 24 for "Girl, Interrupted," but subsequently pursued high-profile blockbuster roles rather than more critically serious parts. This decision caused her considerable anxiety, as she feared compromising her artistic credibility and damaging her nascent career by prioritising commercial over critical appeal.

Despite her concerns, "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" (2001), her second post-Oscar film, became the highest-grossing video game adaptation of its time with a worldwide box office take of $275 million, though it received poor critical reviews. Jolie earned $7 million for the role and later received $12 million for the sequel; whilst the films brought her unfavourable Razzie nominations, the substantial financial returns appeared to vindicate her decision to pursue these lucrative opportunities.