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Lara Croft’s Acrobatics Were So Important to Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis That Actress Alix Wilton Regan Started Rock-Climbing to Get Into Character
Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog have revealed, via a new mini-documentary episode, how central Lara Croft's acrobatic movement is to Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a reimagining of the 1996 original that departs from the grounded, gritty tone of the recent reboot trilogy. The emphasis on agility was so significant that lead actress Alix Wilton Regan undertook extensive physical training, including rock-climbing, to embody the character's confidence and capability convincingly.
Developers, including game director Raul Siqueira and creative director Michal Kuk, described wanting even ordinary actions like sidesteps to become cartwheels, restoring signature moves such as handstands and swan dives for a new generation of players. Regan said her preparation involved weight training, running, yoga and rock-climbing, alongside three-week motion-capture recording blocks. Fans have responded positively to the focus on Lara's classic athleticism. The game, previously expected in 2026, is now set for release on 12 February 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.
In short
- Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis restores Lara Croft's acrobatic movement style
- Actress Alix Wilton Regan trained in rock-climbing and weights for the role
- Game now releases 12 February 2027, delayed from 2026
Explained simply
Tomb Raider is a long-running video game franchise centred on Lara Croft, an adventurer who explores ancient ruins and solves puzzles. The series has been hugely popular since its 1996 debut and has evolved through multiple generations of gaming technology.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is a new game that reimagines the original 1996 adventure. Unlike recent Tomb Raider games that have taken a grounded, realistic approach, Legacy of Atlantis is restoring focus on Lara's acrobatic abilities, transforming simple actions like sidesteps into dramatic flips and cartwheels.
The developers consider Lara's physical prowess essential to who she is as a character. Actress Alix Wilton Regan, who performs the character through motion capture, underwent extensive physical training including rock-climbing, weight training, yoga and running to convincingly portray Lara's athletic confidence and capability.
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