Angelina Jolie recently wrapped filming for “Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life,” the sequel to 2001’s “Tomb Raider.” Set with a July 25 release date, “Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life” presented Jolie with a break from the sort of character she often portrays. Rather than a heroin-addicted model or a suicidal ward, she plays a video game character.
Because of the intense emotional demand required of a drama, Jolie tries to balance her dramatic roles with parts in other types of films.
“They’re so heavy and they’re so personal that you lose the ability to laugh,” she said.
She enjoys playing action roles because they aren’t quite as emotionally intense and involving.
“It’s a certain type of film, so it’s not so emotionally connected to your director,” she said.
Jolie said the sequel to “Tomb Raider,” which is based on the popular “Tomb Raider” video game, tries its best to please game fans.
“We were very aware and very sensitive to the core audience,” she said. “I think the second one is even more true to the game.”
The “Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life” crew filmed the movie in many locations, including Greece, Kenya, Tanzania, Hong Kong and England.
“These films really need to be fun to watch and visually stunning,” Jolie said.
In the first “Tomb Raider” film, Jolie did most of the stunts for the film herself, which included difficult trick horse riding, kickboxing and rifle shooting.
A self-described tomboy, one thing Jolie took issue with was her apparel in the “Tomb Raider” films.
“They had to talk me into wearing the shorts,” she said.
She decided to take the role again not only to take a break from dramatic films but also because she had unfinished business.
“I wasn’t happy enough with the first one,” she said. “I wanted to explore the character more.”
Although she has an Academy Award and numerous other accolades, some fear she may be typecast as the unstable female. However, Jolie isn’t fazed.
“I’m happy I’m working as an actor. Ever since I started working I always was offered the insane girl [character],” she said.
After the “Tomb Raider” sequel Jolie will lend her voice to the animated film “Sharkslayer,” which revolves around the underworld lives of mob-boss sharks. The film features the voices of Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and James Gandolfini. When first shown the illustrations of the different sharks in the film, Jolie immediately recognized which one would use her voice.
“There was one fish with a very big mouth, my fish, the bad fish,” she said.
Jolie has been busy outside the film industry. In August 2001, Jolie was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, visiting refugee camps in war-torn countries such as Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Pakistan. Jolie says the appointment left her “completely changed.” She recently returned from Sri Lanka, where Muslims and the mostly Hindu Tamils have fought one another for 20 years.
“Every time I go, it reminds me and keeps me connected to what life is really about,” she said.
Last year Jolie made a $100,000 donation to a U.N. program that provides food to Western Sahara refugees.
What more can be expected in the future from the Academy Award-winning bad girl?
“I haven’t explored the side of me that was very dark and seedy without apologizing for it,” Jolie said.