BBC News Online: Entertainment: Film

Thousands turn out for Lara première

The actress's father, Jon Voight, who plays Lara's dad in the movie, and her brother James joined Jolie and husband Billy Bob Thornton for the screening at London's Empire Cinema.

Jolie, who plays Lara, said she was reassured by the turnout.

She had been concerned at how audiences would react to a US actress playing the English character.

"I'm hoping it's going to be empowering for everybody," she said.

"Hopefully it will inspire a lot of people to be strong and healthy."

Jolie shrugged off poor reviews for the film, based on the best-selling series of Tomb Raider computer games.

She said: "People think that I'm in denial - but I don't care.

"I love my work."

Voight said he was proud of his daughter's performance in the action movie.

"It gives her a chance to show off all that stuff I knew about when she was growing up, all the athletics she was good at school," he added.

Also at the première were former All Saints singer Natalie Appleton and her daughter Rachel, who plays the young Lara in the film.

Jemima Khan, the Fast Show's Paul Whitehouse, the Spice Girls' Mel C and EastEnders' Martin Kemp were also at the cinema.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider opens at UK cinemas on Friday, 6 July.