The video game character is one of the most iconic of all time – and was previously played by Angelina Jolie in two movies at the turn of the millennium.
Now, Vikander has stepped into the role for the new movie version, due in cinemas later this week.
In a new interview, she spoke of updating the character for the modern age.
“Lara Croft has been this sex symbol, but films from back then, oh, my God, the view they had of women and power is so different,” she told American Way.
“She had to be brought into our time.”
The movie finds Croft as she seeks adventure following the disappearance of her father.
“This is a girl trying to figure out what path she’s going to take in life, and there’s a lot of pressure on her. She’s like me when I was 20,” Vikander added.
Speaking on The Graham Norton Show last month, Vikander had addressed the notorious body shape of Croft in the first video games.
“My breasts are not as pointy as the first Lara, but I had a clear vision of how I wanted to play her,” she joked.
“I was a huge fan as a kid and whilst I was too scared to play the games when I was 10, I learnt all her moves.”
Tomb Raider is in cinemas from Friday.