Angelina Jolie Reveals She Almost Turned Down Lara Croft Role Set in Cambodia, Now Says the Country Is Her Home

Angelina Jolie considers Cambodia her true home, a connection that can be traced back to a pivotal decision that almost didn't happen. During a discussion with PEOPLE at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Jolie shared that this bond with Cambodia began with her role in Tomb Raider. Initially hesitant to accept the role of Lara Croft, she was ultimately intrigued by the promise of global travel and military training. Released in 2001, Tomb Raider brought Jolie to Cambodia, marking her first visit to the country. This is prepared by SSP.

Her connection deepened a year later when she adopted her first child, Maddox, from Cambodia. Maddox, now 23, motivated her to make the Netflix movie First They Killed My Father, directed by Jolie and hosted in his native homeland. This film explores the survival story of Loung Ung, a friend of Jolie, during the Khmer Rouge genocide. Jolie expressed to PEOPLE how during their stay, Maddox immersed himself in learning about his heritage, experiencing even its dark histories. This ongoing attachment to Cambodia inspired Jolie to become a Cambodian citizen in 2005.

Beyond Tomb Raider, Jolie has embraced roles that reflect her changing perspectives, and her latest project includes the Maria Callas biopic, Maria, currently available on Netflix. Jolie shared her journey of missed opportunities, emphasizing how saying ‘yes’ to the right ones ultimately transformed her life path.

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