Leslie charms Croft casters

Phillips: Awarded an OBE for his contribution to acting

Legendary screen smoothie Leslie Phillips has landed the role of a villain in the film version of the Tomb Raider computer game.

The 75-year-old actor - celebrated for his role as a ladies' man in the Carry On movie comedies - will play a treacherous former friend of the father of heroine Lara Croft.

His character, Wilson, teams up with arch baddie Powell, played by Iain Glen, in a battle of wits against Croft, played by Oscar-winner Angelina Jolie.

A spokesman for Phillips said: "Leslie has been cast in Tomb Raider and he's just started filming this week.

Lara: Cyberbabe

"It's fantastic news and he's delighted. He's an icon and he's doing a lot of very, very good work at the moment."

The movie is being made at Pinewood Studios in Hertfordshire and is due for release, first in the US, in the summer of 2001.

Phillips' character, Wilson, is a one-time associate of Croft's father, Lord Croft, who has turned bad and is now out to secure his downfall.

Out to stop Wilson and Powell is Lara, who is not only fearless but enterprising and successful as a publishing magnate.

Enduring

The coveted role of the computer heroine went to Jolie, 25, after her Academy Award-winning performance in Girl, Interrupted.

She has also won praise for her parts in the Bone Collector with Denzel Washington and is currently starring in box office hit Gone in Sixty Seconds with Nicolas Cage.

Jolie: Oscar-winner

Phillips has won his own particular brand of fame over the years as the blond, moustached charmer of films such as Carry on Nurse and Doctor in Love.

Quintessentially British upper class in both his dapper dress and accent, Phillips has played character roles in more 80 movies.

Although never considered a serious A-list thespian, he has become one of the most enduring and best-loved of the UK's actors. He has never really had a lean period in his 50-year career.

In recent times he has again been in demand featuring in movies such as Saving Grace with Brenda Blethyn.

He was also awarded an OBE for services to drama in November 1998.