Wikipedia

Eragon(film)

Eragon(stylized in all lowercase) is a 2006fantasyadventure filmdirected byStefen Fangmeier(in his directorial debut) and written by Peter Buchman, loosely based onChristopher Paolini's2002 novel of the same name.It starsEd Speleersin thetitle roleas well asJeremy Irons,Sienna Guillory,Robert Carlyle,Djimon Hounsou,Garrett Hedlund,Joss Stone,andJohn Malkovich,withRachel WeiszasSaphirathedragon.The film also marked the film debuts for Speleers and Stone.

Eragon
Theatrical release poster
Directed byStefen Fangmeier
Screenplay byPeter Buchman
Based onEragon
byChristopher Paolini
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyHugh Johnson
Edited by
Music byPatrick Doyle
Production
companies
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • December 15, 2006(2006-12-15)
Running time
103 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$100 million[2]
Box office$250.4 million[2]

Principal photography took place at the Mafilm Fót Studios in Hungary, starting on August 1, 2005. Visual effects and animation were provided byIndustrial Light & Magic,Weta DigitalandCinesite.Eragonwas released worldwide between December 13, 2006 and December 15, 2006 by20th Century Fox.It received widespread negative reviews from critics and book fans, who criticized its acting, screenplay, visuals and unfaithfulness to the source material, though its CGI and the performances of Speleers and Irons were praised by a few critics. It was the 10th worst reviewed film of 2006 onRotten Tomatoes,[3]but the 31st highest-grossing film of 2006 in the US.[4]The film was released for home entertainment on March 20, 2007. Originally,Eragonwas supposed to be the first in a franchise based on Paolini'sInheritance Cyclebook series, with Fangmeirer shooting bothEldestandBrisingrback-to-back.[5]However, following the poor critical reception ofEragonon its release, and its box-office performance, the planned sequels were not produced.

Plot

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Eons ago, in the land ofAlagaësia,an order called the Dragon Riders was created to oversee the countries and bring peace to the world. However, a former Dragon Rider,Galbatorix,betrayed and destroyed the Dragon Riders, killing them all and the dragons alike. Galbatorix now rules over Alagaësia with an iron fist while rebels called the Varden oppose him.

Arya,princess of theelfkingdom, Ellesméra, flees with a strange stone while being pursued by a darksorcerer,Durzaworking for Galbatorix. Durza corners Arya, but she uses her magic to teleport the stone away moments before she is captured.

Eragon,a poor farm boy living in the country with his uncle,Garrow,and cousin,Roran,is hunting when he witnesses the stone appearing. Hoping to trade it for food, Eragon brings the stone home but realizes it is actually an egg when a bluedragonhatches from it. As he touches the dragon, a magical mark appears on his palm. Several individuals sense the egg hatching, including Arya, an old storyteller,Brom,and Galbatorix himself.

Eragon shelters and feeds the dragon, and he teaches her to fly as she grows to full size. She telepathically speaks to him and calls herselfSaphira.When they are out, Durza's monstrous minions, theRa'zac,arrive at the village to look for the dragon and the rider, killing Garrow. Blaming Saphira for his uncle's death, Eragon sends her away. Brom shows up, takes Eragon away from the village, warns him of Saphira's importance, and urges him to call her back. Eragon calls Saphira, and she comes back, forgiving him for what he previously said.

Brom leads the group to the Varden. On the way, Brom tells Eragon about dragon riders, Galbatorix, Durza, and the Ra'zac. He also trains Eragon in sword-fighting. In a small village, Eragon meets a fortune-tellingwitchnamedAngela,who tells him of Arya and a dangerous path toward future battles ahead. When Galbatorix's servants, the Urgals, attack the duo. Eragon attempts to mimic Brom after earlier witnessing him create fire with anincantationand inadvertently wipes out the whole group with a blast of blue fire before falling unconscious from the strain. Brom teaches Eragon to control his magic and bond his powers with Saphira. After flying for the first time, Eragon and Saphira help Brom kill the Ra'zac, and Brom reveals he was once a rider, his dragon killed byMorzan,a rogue rider who allied with Galbatorix.

Durza sets a trap for Eragon, using Arya as bait. Hearing her calls, Eragon sets out to rescue her but is ambushed by Durza. Eragon is outmatched, and Brom arrives to help but is mortally wounded. The trio escapes, and Brom dies while flying on Saphira. Eragon takes possession of Brom's sword, Zar'roc, which previously belonged to Morzan.

Eragon confronts a hooded figure tailing the group. The figure, a man namedMurtagh,proceeds to guide them to the Varden. Once there, Murtagh is imprisoned by the Varden after it is revealed he is Morzan's son. Durza leads Galbatorix's forces and attacks the rebels' base, and Eragon, Saphira, and Arya join the battle. Murtagh frees himself during the battle and assists the Varden, saving the Dwarf KingHrothgar.Eragon and Saphira duel in the skies with Durza. They eventually kill him, but Saphira is heavily injured. Eragon uses magic to heal her before passing out.

The following morning, Eragon awakes with Murtagh and a fully healed Saphira. They catch up with Arya, who is on her way to Ellesméra to lead the elves in the coming war against Galbatorix. They part ways, promising to meet again. Meanwhile, Galbatorix slashes at his hanging map of Alagaësia, revealing his pitch-black dragon,Shruikan.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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Plans to create a film based onChristopher Paolini's best-selling novel were first announced in February 2004.20th Century Foxpurchased the rights toEragon.ScreenwriterPeter Buchman,whose credits includedJurassic Park III,wrote the screenplay. Buchman, a fan of fantasy and science fiction literature and films, says he was "blown away" by the author's precociousness, his mastery of plot lines and characters, and his ability to create several completely imaginary worlds.[6]

Casting

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Leather and metal battle armor crafted byWhitaker MalemforEd Speleers,who was cast in the lead role as Eragon.

Speleers was selected for the title role after a worldwide casting search. "Ed came in [to the casting session], and we just looked at each other and said,"That'sEragon, that's the guy from the book, "said directorStefen Fangmeier:"I got a strong sense of Ed's sparkle, of his life. It's the kind of thing where you just know he's destined to become a movie star. Speleers won the role as he was trying to learn his lines for a school production ofHamlet.Others considered for the role includedAlex Pettyferbut since production took place in central Europe and Pettyfer is afraid of flying, he declined the role.[7]

On July 15, 2005, in an official press release from20th Century Fox,it was confirmed that Speleers had signed on to the project. Over the following months,Jeremy Irons,John Malkovich,Chris Egan,andDjimon Hounsouwere all confirmed as joining theEragoncast. Paolini, author of the original novel, had expressed his wishes to be featured in a cameo role in the film — specifically, as a warrior who is beheaded in the battle ofFarthen Dûr.However, he was unable because of his European book tour.[8]

Jeremy Irons, who welcomed the opportunity to reintroduce himself to younger audiences, took on the role althoughDungeons & Dragons(a previous fantasy film he had acted in) had flopped, and he said that he thought that Eragon "had been better managed" than that film.[9]

Filming and visual effects

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Aerial photograph of theSág Mountain,which served as the backdrop forFarthen Dûr

In August 2005, Fox began filmingEragonat various locations throughout Hungary and Slovakia, including:

Filming ended a month later in September, beginning the film's visual effects and animation stage, provided byIndustrial Light & Magic(ILM),Weta DigitalandCinesiteto create the film'sCGI.

The decision was made later on in production to add feathers to the standard bat-like wings of the CGI dragon Saphira.[10]The studio had been inspired by the Angel's wings inX-Men: The Last Stand.[11]Jean Bolte, lead viewpaint artist for ILM on the film, calls them "skethers" (half-feathers, half-scales) and was inspired by the scales of thepangolin.[12]It was eventually decided that Saphira's colors scheme should be subdued rather than vibrant to be more realistic.[11]

Music

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Eragon: Music from the Motion Picture
Soundtrack albumby
Patrick Doyle
ReleasedDecember 12, 2006(2006-12-12)
Recorded2005–2006
Length55:24
LabelRCA
ProducerPatrick Doyle, Maggie Rodford
Patrick Doylechronology
Wah-Wah
(2006) 		Eragon: Music from the Motion Picture
(2006) 		The Last Legion
(2007)
SinglesfromEragon soundtrack
  1. "Keep Holding On"
    Released: November 17, 2006

The score for the film was composed and produced byPatrick Doyle.Avril Lavignerecorded the film's theme song, "Keep Holding On",which was featured in the credits and on the soundtrack.[13]The track was released as asinglein 2006 and peaked at number 17 on the USBillboardHot 100singles chart.[14]It was later included on her 2007 albumThe Best Damn Thing.

Track listing
  1. "Eragon"
  2. "Roran Leaves"
  3. "Saphira's First Flight"
  4. "Ra'zac"
  5. "Burning Farm"
  6. "Fortune Teller"
  7. "If You Were Flying"
  8. "Brom's Story"
  9. "Durza"
  10. "Passing the Flame"
  11. "Battle for Varden"
  12. "Together"
  13. "Saphira Returns"
  14. "Legend of Eragon"
  15. "Keep Holding On"–Avril Lavigne
  16. "Once in Every Lifetime" –Jem

Distribution

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Video game

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Main article:Eragon (video game)

Thevideo gamebased on the motion picture was developed byStormfront StudiosandAmaze Entertainmentand was released in November 2006.

Home media

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Eragonwas releasedDVDandBlu-rayin the US on March 20, 2007. It debuted at number 1 on the national DVD sales charts and at number 3 on the DVD rental charts.[15]It grossed more than US$35.2 million in rentals.[16]It was released on DVD in Europe on April 16, 2007 and in Australia on April 18, 2007.[citation needed]

Reception

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Box office

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Eragongrossed approximately $75 million in the US and $173.9 million elsewhere, grossing $249 million worldwide.[2]Director Stefen Fangmeier believes that Fox was "modestly happy with the worldwide box office."[17]

Eragonwas in release for 17 weeks in the US, opening on December 15, 2006 and closing on April 8, 2007.[2]It opened in 3,020 theaters, earning $8.7 million on opening day and $23.2 million across opening weekend, ranked 2nd behindThe Pursuit of Happyness.[18]Eragon's second weekend US box office dropped by almost 70%, possibly due to the opening ofNight at the Museum,another family film from20th Century Fox,[19]the 41st biggest second weekend drop since this statistic was kept.[20]Eragon's $75 million total US gross was the 31st highest for 2006.[21]

The film earned $150 million in its opening weekend across 76 overseas markets, making it the number one film worldwide.[22]This was attributed to the sheer scope ofEragon's global launch as the film ranked number 1 in fewer than half of the overseas territories it was released in.[23]The foreign box office competition for the film's opening week was "soft;"[24]hadEragonbeen released one year earlier, it would have been placed fourth.[25]Eragon's UK opening was "a disappointment,"[23]in Australia it was "solid if unimpressive,"[23]but its most impressive market was France,[26]where the film earned more than $21 million.[27]The film's $249 million total worldwide gross was the 16th highest for 2006.[28] Eragongrossed $86,995,160 on DVD from March 20, 2007 – May 13, 2007.[29]

Critical response

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Sienna Guillory,who played Arya.

On the review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,Eragonholds an approval rating of 16% based on 126 reviews, with an average rating of 4.08/10. The consensus reads "Eragonis a fantasy epic that lacks any magic, brought down to earth by unconvincing world-building and a litany of stars who seem bemused by the material. "[30]AtMetacritic,the film holds a score of 38 out of 100 based on 29 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". Audiences surveyed byCinemaScoregave the film a grade "B" on scale of A+ to F.The Seattle Timesdescribed the film as "technically accomplished, but fairly lifeless and at times a bit silly".[31]The Hollywood Reportersaid the world ofEragonwas "without much texture or depth."[32]The story was labeled "derivative" byThe Washington Post,[33]and "generic" by theLas Vegas Weekly.[34]Newsdaystressed this point further, asserting that only "nine-year-olds with no knowledge whatsoever of any of the sixStar Warsmovies would find the film original. "[35]

The acting was called "lame" by theWashington Post,[33]plus "stilted" and "lifeless" by theOrlando Weekly.[36]The dialogue was also criticized, withMSNBClabelling it "silly";[37]theLas Vegas Weeklycalled it "wooden".[34]Positive reviews described the film as "fun"[38]and "the stuff boys' fantasies are made of."[39]TheCGIwork was called "imaginative" andSaphirawas called a "magnificent creation."[40]Christopher Paolinistated he enjoyed the film, particularly praising the performances ofJeremy IronsandEd Speleers.[41]

Accolades

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Reboot and Sequel

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Around 2021, 15 years after the film's premiere, fans of the book series tweeted #EragonRemake in an effort to getDisney,the intellectual rights holders following theiracquisition of 21st Century Fox,to revamp the book series into a possible television show forDisney+.Within hours, the hashtag began to trend with fans pushing for a proper adaptation. When Paolini found out about this movement, he encouraged the fans to keep at it and even joined it himself.[45]

On July 25, 2022,Varietyreported that alive actiontelevision series adaptationofEragonwas in early development for Disney+, with Paolini serving as a co-writer on the series, and with Bert Salke executive producing.[46]

References

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  1. ^abc"Eragon (2006)".British Film Institute.Archived fromthe originalon January 26, 2021.RetrievedDecember 13,2020.
  2. ^abcd"Eragon (2006)".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on 2009-02-15.Retrieved2020-04-20.
  3. ^"8th Annual Golden Tomatoes Awards".Rotten Tomatoes.Archived fromthe originalon 2007-11-11.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  4. ^"2006 Yearly Box Office Results".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on 2009-02-01.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  5. ^"EXCLUSIVE: Stefan Fangmeier Creates Fantasy with Eragon".2007-03-23. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-03-23.Retrieved2018-02-16.
  6. ^Bankston, John (November 2013).Christopher Paolini.Infobase Learning.ISBN9781438146584.
  7. ^Lyall, Sarah (2006-07-20)."He Was a Teenage Spy, Surrounded by Treacherous Adults".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-05-08.Retrieved2007-05-01.
  8. ^"More Eragon Stills!".CanMag. 2006-08-15. Archived from the original on 2007-11-14.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  9. ^Carnivale, Rob."Eragon — Jeremy Irons interview".IndieLondon.Archivedfrom the original on 2008-05-27.Retrieved2008-07-28.
  10. ^Moerk, Christian (2006-12-10)."How Does a Dragon Look When It Talks? Ask a Wildebeest".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on 2015-09-01.Retrieved2008-07-28.
  11. ^abBielik, Alain (2006-12-13)."Eragon: Conjuring A Compelling CG Dragon".VFXWorld.Animation World Network.Archivedfrom the original on 2008-12-06.Retrieved2008-11-19.
  12. ^Robertson, Barbara (2006-12-19)."Beneath the Surface: Eragon's Viewpainter".CGSociety.Archivedfrom the original on 2007-05-22.Retrieved2008-10-21.
  13. ^""Keep Holding On" now playing at radio! ".Avril Lavigne.2006-11-20. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-05-08.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  14. ^"Artist Chart History — Avril Lavigne".Billboard.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  15. ^Arnold, Thomas K. (2007-03-29)."'Eragon' Breathes Fire on Competition ".Home Media Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon 2007-11-14.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  16. ^"Eragon Box Office & Rental Numbers".Rotten Tomatoes.Archived fromthe originalon 2007-10-09.Retrieved2007-11-06.
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  21. ^"2006 Yearly Box Office Results - Box Office Mojo".Archivedfrom the original on 2009-02-01.Retrieved2020-04-20.
  22. ^Segers, Frank (2006-12-18)."'Eragon' soars atop o'seas b.o ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2007.
  23. ^abc"Around the World Roundup: 'Eragon' Claims Top Spot - Box Office Mojo".Archivedfrom the original on 2018-12-15.Retrieved2020-04-20.
  24. ^"Movie & TV News @ IMDb - Studio Briefing - 27 December 2006".IMDb.Archivedfrom the original on 2008-02-19.Retrieved2018-07-01.
  25. ^McNary, Dave (2006-12-26)."'Eragon' brings box office heat abroad ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 2009-01-16.Retrieved2020-04-20.
  26. ^"Around the World Roundup: 'Night' Reigns for Third Weekend - Box Office Mojo".Archivedfrom the original on 2017-07-01.Retrieved2020-04-20.
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  28. ^"2006 Yearly Box Office Results - Box Office Mojo".Archivedfrom the original on 2007-10-30.Retrieved2020-04-20.
  29. ^"Eragon (2006) - Financial Information".[permanent dead link‍]
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  33. ^abHunter, Stephen."Eragon".The Washington Post.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  34. ^abBell, Josh (2006-12-14)."Lord of the Wings".Las Vegas Weekly.Archived fromthe originalon 2008-01-02.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  35. ^Seymour, Gene (2006-12-15)."Eragon".Newsday.Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-30.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  36. ^Ferguson, Jason (2006-12-14)."Eragon".Orlando Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on 2007-10-11.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  37. ^Germain, David (2006-12-13)."'Eragon' is a 'Star Wars' wannabe ".Today.Archivedfrom the original on 2018-01-09.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  38. ^"This Week's Movie Review: Nolan's Pop Culture Review #351".Archivedfrom the original on 2008-08-28.Retrieved2006-12-14.
  39. ^"Urban Cinefile ERAGON".Archivedfrom the original on 2019-07-26.Retrieved2006-12-14.
  40. ^Arnold, William (2006-12-14)."All that's missing are the hobbits".Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  41. ^"Shur'tugal Movie Viewer".Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-27.
  42. ^"Superman Returns Leads the 33rd Annual Saturn Awards with 10 Nominations".MovieWeb.February 21, 2007.RetrievedDecember 3,2023.
  43. ^"Supermantops Saturns ".Variety.May 10, 2007.RetrievedDecember 3,2023.
  44. ^Kilday, Gregg (January 11, 2007)."Costume Designers Guild sizes up noms".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedDecember 3,2023.
  45. ^Hellomynameis99, Jack (21 June 2021)."Press Kit".Brisin.gr.Archivedfrom the original on 3 September 2021.Retrieved3 September2021.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  46. ^Otterson, Joe (July 25, 2022)."'Eragon' TV Series Adaptation in Development at Disney+ (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on July 25, 2022.RetrievedJuly 25,2022.
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