| “ | I'm sorry Lara. You would have been welcome in my world. | „ |
| ~ Jonathan Reiss to Lara Croft |
Jonathan Reiss is the main antagonist of the 2003 action-adventure film Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life. He was a bio-terrorist and a wealthy, manipulative and ruthless businessman.
He was portrayed by Ciarán Hinds who also played Botticelli Remorso, Mephisto, and Steppenwolf.
Biography
Reiss is a very rich bio-terrorist who searches for a magical sphere known as the Orb, which is said to lead the way to the legendary Pandora's Box within the Cradle of Life. Meanwhile, archaeologist and explorer Lara Croft also becomes determined to locate the ancient artifact with the help of Terry Sheridan, a mercenary and former love interest of Lara's. Knowing that Lara is out to obtain the Orb for herself, Reiss orders his men to kill her. He is later given the Orb at a meeting point in Shanghai, China, though a gunfight breaks out between Lara, Terry and Reiss' men. Lara and Terry then head to Reiss' building where the Orb is being held but Lara is soon captured by Reiss.
Before he can kill her, Terry saves Lara and the pair escapes from the building with the Orb. Reiss breaks into Croft Manor and watches as Lara's friend Bryce speaks with her over a screen, holding him at gunpoint without Lara's knowledge. On Lara's request, Bryce reluctantly sends her a file which prompts the Orb to reveal a holographic map pinpointing the location of the Cradle of Life, which happens to be in Africa. Seeing this, Reiss kidnaps Bryce and Lara's butler Hillary.
Later on, Lara travels to Africa where she is met by members of a tribe who know where Pandora's Box can be found, deep within the volcanic Mount Kilimanjaro. Reiss and his men then confront Lara and the tribe, forcing her to lead them to the box by threatening to kill Bryce and Hillary. Together, they make their way towards the Cradle of Life where they encounter monstrous creatures known as Shadow Guardians. After many of Reiss' men are killed by the Shadow Guardians, Lara steals the Orb from Reiss and throws it down a hole, killing the Shadow Guardians and leading the group directly inside the Cradle of Life.
As Lara and Reiss enter the mysterious cavern, they find Pandora's Box floating in a pool of highly corrosive black acid. Reiss tries to force Lara to retrieve the box for him, but she manages to push him away and the pair of them fight. Terry then appears and distracts Reiss, giving Lara the advantage and allowing her to knock Reiss into the acid pool. Reiss writhes in agony as his skin begins to melt, though he still finds the strength to make one last reach for Pandora's Box before his body is dissolved completely.
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