Move over, Angelina Jolie. There's a new Lara Croft in town, and she's a 23-year-old gymnast from South London, Tomb Raider publisher Eidos announced this week.

Ever since actress Rhona Mitra first took on the role of Tomb Raider heroine Lara Croft in 1997, Eidos has sought real-life counterparts for its acrobatic archaeologist heroine, and they've helped propel the video game series to worldwide sales topping 32 million. Up until now the British publisher's picks have tended to be models or, like Jolie, movie stars, but Alison Carroll might just be the first Croft to have the physical abilities to do her famously acrobatic opposite number justice.

Carroll boasts 12 years of gymnastics training and numerous honors representing Great Britain in sporting displays. Although her Lara role won't involve any movie work, she'll still be kept sufficiently busy traveling the world promoting the latest Tomb Raider game, Underworld, to allow her to quit her day job -- as a receptionist.

"It's unbelievable how realistic [Lara's] movements are in Tomb Raider: Underworld and it's so gratifying to be able to use my years of gymnastic training to portray such a beloved character," Carroll said in a press release.

Although Carroll's more than able to match Croft kick for kick, she's still undergoing a training regime that includes weapons classes in Eastern Europe, survival technique instruction from British SAS troops, and -- naturally -- a crash course in archaeology.

Pics:

http://www.kontraband.com/pics/13281...Croft-Is-HAWT/

I saw that over the weekend. I much preferred Karima Adebibe:

She was 11 when Tomb Raider first came out.

Daddy like.

I still liked Rhona the best:

At least Rhona didn't take a shot like this

That is so unflattering. They could have at least photoshopped it up a bit.

I never knew Rhona Mitra was Lara Croft. I loved her in The Practice (and can't forget her in Hollow Man as well ). She does seem like she would have been an awesome Lara.

Acrobatic? Check

Brunette? Check

Huge Tits? Fail


= Not Laura Croft

I know it's a typo but the first thing that popped into my head is that originall Lara Croft was going to be Laura Cruz until Eidos and Co. felt that a hispannic lead wouldn't appeal to gamers. I know way too much about this damned franchise.

Oh and I really don't care for the new model at all. I really miss Karima, even if she was deficient in the ass department.

How come Lara Croft looks exactly the same in all the games? It's not like it's photo-realistic.

I always liked Angelina Jolie.

That Rhona chick is a hot Tranny.

and her dad was the one who installed her implants! true story..

more please.... Nevermind i wiki'd it.

That must have been the "Cradle of Life" shot.

TOTALLY agree! (Not that Angelina was any kind of slouch.)