Editing Eragon

{{Short description|2002 book by Christopher Paolini}}
{{about|the novel by Christopher Paolini|other uses of the name||}}
{{Distinguish|Aragon}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox book
| name              = Eragon
| image             = Eragon book cover.png
| alt               = Head and neck of a dragon. She has spikes on her scaly curved neck and antler-like projections over her eyes. Also a light teal color.
| image_size        = 200px
| caption           = Knopf edition cover by [[John Jude Palencar]], featuring the teal dragon [[Saphira]]|
| author            = [[Christopher Paolini]]
| illustrator       = [[John Jude Palencar]]
| cover_artist      = [[John Jude Palencar]]
| country           = United States
| language          = English
| series            = ''[[The Inheritance Cycle]]''
| genre             = [[Young adult fiction|Young adult]]<br />[[Fantasy fiction|Fantasy]]<br />[[Utopian and dystopian fiction|Dystopian]]<br />[[Bildungsroman]]
| publisher         = [[Paolini LLC]] (first edition), [[Alfred A. Knopf]]
| release_date      = 2002 (first edition), August 26, 2003 (Knopf)
| media_type        = Print (hardback & paperback) and [[Compact disc|audio-CD]]
| pages             = 509 (Knopf)<br />544 (Paolini LLC)
| isbn              = 0-375-82668-8
| isbn_note         = (First Knopf edition) {{ISBN|0-9666213-3-6}} (Paolini LLC)
| dewey             = [Fic] 21
| congress          = PZ7.P19535 Er 2003
| oclc              = 52251450
| followed_by       = [[Eldest]]
| notes             = Copies sold: 24.55 million{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
}}
'''''Eragon''''' is the first book in ''[[The Inheritance Cycle]]'' by American [[fantasy]] writer [[Christopher Paolini]]. Paolini, born in 1983, began writing the novel after graduating from home school at the age of fifteen.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Paolini, Christopher |title=Brisingr, or, The seven promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular |at=Back Cover |date=2008|publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |isbn=978-0-375-82672-6 |edition=1st |location=New York |oclc=182526089}}</ref> After writing the first draft for a year, Paolini spent a second year rewriting and fleshing out the story and characters. His parents saw the final manuscript and in 2001 decided to [[Self-publishing|self-publish]] ''Eragon'';<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.alagaesia.com/author.php|title=About the Author|website=Alagaesia.com|access-date=2017-03-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514213407/http://www.alagaesia.com/author.php|archive-date=2017-05-14}}</ref> Paolini spent a year traveling around the [[United States]] promoting the novel. The book was discovered by novelist [[Carl Hiaasen]], who brought it to the attention of [[Alfred A. Knopf]]. The re-published version was released on August 26, 2003.

The book tells the story of a farm boy named [[Eragon (character)|Eragon]], who finds a mysterious stone in the mountains. The stone is revealed to be a dragon egg, and a dragon whose name is [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Saphira|Saphira]] hatches from it. When the evil [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Galbatorix|King Galbatorix]] finds out about the egg, he sends monstrous servants to acquire it, making Eragon and Saphira flee from their hometown with a storyteller named Brom. Brom, an old member of an extinct group of Dragon Riders, teaches Eragon about the ways of the Rider.

''Eragon'' was the third-best-selling children's hardback book of 2003, and the second-best-selling paperback of 2005. It placed on the [[New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' Children's Books Best Seller list]] for 121 weeks and was adapted as a [[Eragon (film)|feature film of the same name]] that was released on December 15, 2006.

==Background==

=== Origins and publication ===
Christopher Paolini started reading fantasy books when he was 10 years old. At the age of 14, as a hobby, he started writing a novel, endeavoring to create the sort of fantasy story that he himself would enjoy reading. However, he could not get beyond a few pages because he had "no idea" where he was going. He began reading everything he could about the "art of writing", and then plotted the whole ''[[Inheritance Cycle]]'' book series. After a month of planning out the series, he started writing the draft of ''Eragon'' by hand. It was finished a year later, and Paolini began writing the second draft of the book.<ref name="guardian" >{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/jan/25/booksforchildrenandteenagers.features|title=Elf and efficiency|last=Spring|first=Kit|date=2004-01-26|work=[[The Observer]]|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827215125/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/jan/25/booksforchildrenandteenagers.features|archive-date=2013-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm/author_number/934/christopher-paolini|title=An Interview with Christopher Paolini|website=BookBrowse.com|access-date=2023-10-24}}</ref> After another year of editing, Paolini's parents saw the final manuscript. They immediately saw its potential and decided to publish the book through their small, home-based publishing company, Paolini International.<ref name="teenreads"/> Paolini created the cover art for this edition of ''Eragon'', which featured [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Saphira|Saphira]]'s eye on the cover. He also drew the maps inside the book.<ref>{{cite book|last=Paolini|first=Christopher|title=Eragon|publisher=Paolini International LLC|year=2002|isbn=0-9666213-3-6|oclc=49993776}}</ref>

Paolini and his family toured across the United States promoting the book. He gave over 135 talks at bookshops, libraries, and schools, many with Paolini dressed up in a medieval costume; but the book did not receive much attention. Paolini said he "would stand behind a table in (his) costume talking all day without a break&nbsp;– and would sell maybe forty books in eight hours if (he) did really well. [...] It was a very stressful experience. (He) couldn't have gone on for very much longer."<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Paolini|first=Christopher|date=November 5, 2015|title=Self-Promotional Tour and the Ring|url=https://www.paolini.net/2015/11/05/self-promotional-tour-ring/|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Paolini|language=en-US}}</ref> In the summer of 2002, American novelist [[Carl Hiaasen]] was on vacation in one of the cities that Paolini gave a talk in. While there, Hiaasen's stepson bought a copy of ''Eragon'' that he "immediately loved".<ref name="guardian"/> He showed it to Hiaasen, who brought the book to the attention of the publishing house [[Alfred A. Knopf]]. Michelle Frey, executive editor at Knopf, contacted Paolini and his family to ask if they were interested in having Knopf publish ''Eragon''. The answer was yes, and after another round of editing, Knopf published ''Eragon'' in August 2003, with a new cover, drawn by [[John Jude Palencar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alagaesia.com/christopherpaolini.htm|title=The Author|publisher=Alagaesia.com|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215044938/http://www.alagaesia.com/christopherpaolini.htm|archive-date=2009-02-15}}</ref>

=== Inspiration and influences ===
[[File:Stories of beowulf fighting the dragon.jpg|alt=An old warrior fights against a dragon spitting fire.|thumb|200px| An illustration of [[Beowulf (hero)|Beowulf]] fighting the dragon (1908). Paolini received much inspiration from old epic poems.]]
Paolini cites old [[myth]]s, [[Folklore|folk tales]], medieval stories, the [[Epic poetry|epic poem]] ''[[Beowulf]]'', and authors [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] and [[E. R. Eddison]] as his biggest influences in writing. Other literary influences include [[David Eddings]], [[Andre Norton]], [[Brian Jacques]], [[Anne McCaffrey]], [[Raymond E. Feist]], [[Mervyn Peake]], [[Ursula K. Le Guin]], [[Frank Herbert]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shurtugal.com/?id=series/christopher/qanda |title=Christopher Paolini Q&A |publisher=Shurtugal.com |access-date=2009-01-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514052410/http://www.shurtugal.com/?id=series%2Fchristopher%2Fqanda |archive-date=2008-05-14 }}</ref> [[Philip Pullman]], and [[Garth Nix]].

The ancient language used by the elves in ''Eragon'' is based "almost entirely" on [[Old Norse]], German, [[Anglo Saxon]], and [[Russian language|Russian]] myth.<ref>Jana Schulman, "Retelling Old Tales: Germanic Myth and Language in Christopher Paolini's ''Eragon''," ''The Year's Work in Medieval-ism'' 25 (2010), 33-41.</ref> Paolini commented: "[I] did a god-awful amount of research into the subject when I was composing it. I found that it gave the world a much richer feel, a much older feel, using these words that had been around for centuries and centuries. I had a lot of fun with that."<ref name="powells"/> Picking the right names for the characters and places was a process that could take "days, weeks, or even years". Paolini said: "if I have difficulty choosing the correct moniker, I use a placeholder name until a replacement suggests itself."<ref name="teenreads">{{cite news|url=http://www.teenreads.com/authors/au-paolini-christopher.asp|title=Christopher Paolini interview|last=Saichek|first=Wiley|date=September 2003|publisher=Teenreads.com|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203052328/http://teenreads.com/authors/au-paolini-christopher.asp|archive-date=2009-02-03}}</ref> He added that he was "really lucky" with the name [[Eragon (character)|Eragon]], "because it's just dragon with one letter changed." Also, Paolini commented that he thought of both parts of the name "Eragon"—"era" and "gone"—as if the name itself changes the era in which the character lives. He thought the name fit the book perfectly, but some of the other names caused him "real headaches".<ref name="powells"/>

[[File:Emigrant mountain rivers bend lodge.jpg|alt=A river flows through a flat valley with mountains in the background.|thumb|left|220px|Paolini received inspiration from [[Paradise Valley, Montana]] (''Emigrant Peak pictured, as viewed from west bank of Yellowstone River'')]]The landscape in ''Eragon'' is based on the "wild territory" of Paolini's home state, [[Montana]].<ref name="guardian"/> He said in an interview: "I go hiking a lot, and oftentimes when I'm in the forest or in the mountains, sitting down and seeing some of those little details makes the difference between having an okay description and having a unique description."<ref name="powells"/> Paolini also said that [[Paradise Valley, Montana]] is "one of the main sources" of his inspiration for the landscape in the book (''Eragon'' takes place in the fictional continent Alagaësia). Paolini "roughed out" the main history of the land before he wrote the book, but he did not draw a map of it until it became important to see where Eragon was traveling. He then started to get history and plot ideas from seeing the landscape depicted.<ref name="powells">{{cite web|url=http://www.powells.com/authors/paolini.html|title=Philip Pullman, Tamora Pierce, and Christopher Paolini Talk Fantasy Fiction|last=Weich|first=Dave|date=2003-07-31|publisher=[[Powell's Books]]|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222073206/http://powells.com/authors/paolini.html|archive-date=2009-02-22}}</ref>

Paolini chose to have Eragon mature throughout the book because, "for one thing, it's one of the archetypal fantasy elements". He thought Eragon's growth and maturation throughout the book "sort of mirrored my own growing abilities as a writer and as a person, too. So it was a very personal choice for that book."<ref name="powells"/> Eragon's dragon, Saphira, was imagined as "the perfect friend" by Paolini.<ref name="guardian"/> He decided to go in a more "human direction" with her because she is raised away from her own species, in "close mental contact" with a human. "I considered making the dragon more dragon-like, if you will, in its own society, but I haven't had a chance to explore that. I went with a more human element with Saphira while still trying to get a bit of the magic, the alien, of her race."<ref name="powells"/> Paolini made Saphira the "best friend anyone could have: loyal, funny, brave, intelligent, and noble. She transcended that, however, and became her own person, fiercely independent and proud."<ref name="teenreads"/> Saphira's blue tinted vision was in turn inspired by Paolini's own [[color-blind]]ness.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/paolini/statuses/467683317202952192|title=Christopher Paolini on Twitter|website=twitter.com|access-date=2 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113156/https://twitter.com/paolini/statuses/467683317202952192|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

Paolini deliberately included archetypal elements of a fantasy novel like a quest, a journey of experience, revenge, romance, betrayal, and a unique sword.<ref name="guardian"/> The book is described as a fantasy, and ''[[Booklist]]'' observed: "Paolini knows the genre well—his lush tale is full of recognizable fantasy elements and conventions".<ref name="Reviews">{{cite web|url=http://catalog.dclibrary.org/vufind/Record/ocm52251450/Reviews |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414160927/http://catalog.dclibrary.org/vufind/Record/ocm52251450/Reviews |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-14 |title=Reviews: Eragon BETA |publisher=catalog.dclibrary.org |access-date=2010-09-26 }}</ref> ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' called the book a "[[high fantasy]]";<ref name="Reviews" /> other reviewers have compared it to other books and films of the fantasy genre, such as ''[[Star Wars]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', and in some instances stated ''Eragon''{{'}}s plot is too similar to those other stories.<ref name="Common"/>

== Plot summary ==
{{Main|The Inheritance Cycle#Synopsis}}
A Shade named [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Durza|Durza]], along with a group of Urgals, ambushes a party of three elves. They kill two of them, and Durza attempts to steal an egg carried by the remaining female elf. However, she manages to use magic to teleport it elsewhere. Infuriated, Durza abducts her and keeps her prisoner at the city of Gil'ead.

[[Eragon (character)|Eragon]] is a fifteen-year-old boy who has lived with his uncle [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Garrow|Garrow]] and cousin [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Roran|Roran]] on a farm near the village of Carvahall, left by his mother 15 years before. While hunting, he sees a large explosion and finds a blue dragon egg in the rubble. Later on, a baby dragon hatches from the egg, and bonds with Eragon, giving him a silver mark on his hand. Eragon names the dragon [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Saphira|Saphira]], after a name the old village storyteller Brom mentions.

He raises the dragon in secret until two of [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Galbatorix|King Galbatorix]]'s servants, the [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Ra'zac|Ra'zac]], come to Carvahall. Eragon and Saphira escape and hide in the Spine, but Garrow is fatally wounded and the farm is burned down by the Ra'zac. Once Garrow dies, Eragon and Saphira decide to hunt the Ra'zac, in vengeance. Brom insists on accompanying him and Saphira, and gives Eragon the sword Zar'roc.

Eragon becomes a [[Dragon Rider (Inheritance Cycle)|Dragon Rider]], through his bond with Saphira. He is the only known Rider in Alagaësia other than King Galbatorix, who, with the help of the now-dead Forsworn, a group of rogue Riders, killed every other Rider a century ago. As they travel, Brom teaches Eragon [[sword fighting]], [[Magic (paranormal)|magic]], the ancient elvish language, and the ways of the Dragon Riders.

They travel to the city of Teirm, where they meet with Brom's friend [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Jeod|Jeod]]. Eragon's fortune is told by the witch [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Angela|Angela]], and her companion, the werecat [[Characters in the Inheritance Cycle#Solembum|Solembum]], gives Eragon mysterious advice. With Jeod's help, they track the Ra'zac to the city of [[Inheritance Cycle#Geography|Dras-Leona]]. They manage to infiltrate the city, but are forced to flee after a run-in with the Ra'zac. That night, they are ambushed by the Ra'zac. A stranger named [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Murtagh|Murtagh]] rescues them, but Brom is mortally wounded. Brom gives Eragon his blessing, reveals that he was once a Dragon Rider, with a dragon named Saphira, and dies. Saphira uses magic to encase Brom in a diamond tomb.

Murtagh becomes Eragon's new companion and they travel to the city of Gil'ead, seeking information on how to find the Varden, a group of rebels who seek the downfall of Galbatorix. Near Gil'ead, Eragon is captured and imprisoned in a jail that holds a female elf he had had recurring dreams about. Murtagh and Saphira stage a rescue, and Eragon takes the unconscious elf with him. After fighting Durza, Murtagh seemingly kills him with an arrow shot through his head, and they escape. Eragon telepathically communicates with the elf, named Arya, who reveals she had sent the egg to him accidentally. From her, he learns the location of the Varden. Murtagh is reluctant to journey to the Varden, revealing that he is the son of Morzan, former leader of the Forsworn.

An army of Kull, elite Urgals, chases Eragon to the Varden's headquarters, but is driven off by the Varden, who escort Eragon, Saphira, Murtagh, and Arya to Farthen Dûr, their mountain hideout. Eragon meets the leader of the Varden, [[Ajihad]]. Ajihad imprisons Murtagh after he refuses to allow his mind to be read, to determine his allegiance. Eragon is told by Ajihad that Murtagh failed to kill Durza, as the only way to kill a Shade is with a stab through the heart. [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Orik|Orik]], nephew of the dwarf King [[Characters in the Inheritance Cycle#Hrothgar|Hrothgar]], is appointed as Eragon and Saphira's guide. Eragon also meets Ajihad's daughter, [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Nasuada|Nasuada]], and Ajihad's right-hand man, [[Characters in the Inheritance cycle#Jörmundur|Jörmundur]]. He runs into Angela and Solembum again, and visits Murtagh in prison. He is tested by two magicians, [[Characters in the Inheritance Cycle#The Twins|The Twins]], as well as Arya.

Eragon and the Varden are then attacked by an immense Urgal army. Eragon personally battles Durza again, and, after a mental battle, is overwhelmed by Durza, who slashes him across the back. Arya and Saphira shatter Isidar Mithrim, a large sapphire that formed the roof of the chamber, to distract Durza, allowing Eragon to stab him through the heart with his sword. He falls into a coma, and is visited telepathically by a stranger, who tells Eragon to visit him in the Elven capital, Ellesméra. He wakes up with a scar across his back, and resolves to journey to Ellesméra.

== Reception ==
''Eragon'' received generally mixed reviews and was criticized for its derivative nature. Liz Rosenberg of ''[[The New York Times Book Review]]'' criticized ''Eragon'' for having "clichéd descriptions", "B-movie dialogue", "awkward and gangly prose". However, she concluded the review by noting that "for all its flaws, it is an authentic work of great talent."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E1D81539F935A25752C1A9659C8B63|title=The Egg and Him|last=Rosenberg|first=Liz|date=2003-11-16|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210100209/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E1D81539F935A25752C1A9659C8B63|archive-date=2008-12-10}}</ref> ''[[School Library Journal]]'' wrote that in ''Eragon'' "sometimes the magic solutions are just too convenient for getting out of difficult situations."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0375826688 |title=Amazon.com Eragon |work=[[School Library Journal]]|author=Rogers, Susan|date=25 June 2003 |publisher=Knopf Books for Young Readers |isbn=978-0-375-82668-9 |access-date=2011-11-09}}</ref> Common Sense Media called ''Eragon''{{'s}} dialogue "long-winded" and "clichéd", with a plot "straight out of ''[[Star Wars]]'' by way of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', with bits of other great fantasies thrown in here and there..." The website did concede that the book is a notable achievement for such a young author, and that it would be "appreciated" by younger fans.<ref name="Common">{{cite web|url=http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/Eragon.html|title=Eragon Book Review and Rating|last=Berman|first=Matt|publisher=Common Sense Media|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130051020/http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/Eragon.html|archive-date=2009-01-30}}</ref>

Favorable reviews of ''Eragon'' often focused on the book's characters and plot. [[IGN]]'s Matt Casamassina called the book "entertaining", and added that "Paolini demonstrates that he understands how to hold the reader's eyes and this is what ultimately separates ''Eragon'' from countless other me-too fantasy novels."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/495/495881p1.html|title=Book Review: Eragon|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|date=2004-03-01|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131063330/http://movies.ign.com/articles/495/495881p1.html|archive-date=2009-01-31}}</ref> Chris Lawrence of [[About.com]] thought the book had all the "traditional ingredients" that make a fantasy novel "enjoyable". The book was a "fun read" for him because it is "quick and exciting" and "packed" with action and magic. Lawrence concluded his review by giving the book a rating of 3.8/5, commenting that "the characters are interesting, the plot is engrossing, and you know the good guy will win in the end."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/currentreviews/fr/eragon.htm|title=Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1)|last=Lawrence|first=Chris|publisher=[[About.com]]|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131102803/http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/currentreviews/fr/eragon.htm|archive-date=2009-01-31}}</ref>

''Eragon'' was the third best-selling children's hardback book of 2003,<ref name="publishers2003">{{cite news|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0921464.html|title=Best-Selling Children's Books, 2003|work=[[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106182757/http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0921464.html|archive-date=2009-01-06}}</ref> and the second best-selling children's paperback of 2005.<ref name="publishers2005">{{cite news|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0931035.html|title=Best-Selling Children's Books, 2005|work=[[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107030408/http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0931035.html|archive-date=2009-01-07}}</ref> It placed on the [[New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' Children's Books Best Seller list]] for 121 weeks.<ref name="bestchildren1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/books/bestseller/0106bestchildren.html|title=New York Times Best Seller List|date=2008-01-06|work=[[The New York Times]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205133822/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/books/bestseller/0106bestchildren.html|archive-date=2015-02-05}}</ref> In 2006, the novel was awarded with a Nene Award by the children of Hawaii.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nene.k12.hi.us/winners/2006/eragon.html |title=Nene Award Website - 2006 winner |publisher=R.E.A.D for Nene |access-date=2009-01-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925173552/http://nene.k12.hi.us/winners/2006/eragon.html |archive-date=2006-09-25 }}</ref> It won the [[Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rcyrba.org/2006Winner.htm |title=2006 Winner&nbsp;— Eragon |publisher=Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award |access-date=2009-01-29 |archive-date=2009-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131080757/http://rcyrba.org/2006Winner.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the [[Young Reader's Choice Award]] the same year.<ref>{{cite web|title=YRCA Past Winners|url=http://www.pnla.org/yrca/pastwinners.htm|publisher=Pacific Northwest Library Association|access-date=2011-02-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105143300/http://www.pnla.org/yrca/pastwinners.htm|archive-date=2011-01-05}}</ref>

== Adaptations ==
=== Film ===
{{main|Eragon (film)}}
[[File: Sághegy légifotó.jpg|alt=View of a mountainside with cliffs and domed structures built on the ledges.|thumb|220px|right|Aerial photography of the [[Ság Mountain]], which served as the backdrop for Farthen Dûr in the film adaptation of the book.]]
A [[Eragon (film)|film adaptation of ''Eragon'']] was released in the United States on December 15, 2006. Plans to create the film were first announced in February 2004, when [[20th Century Fox]] purchased the rights to ''Eragon''. The film was directed by first-timer [[Stefen Fangmeier]], and written by Peter Buchman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449010/|title=Eragon|publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]|access-date=2007-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408145627/http://imdb.com/title/tt0449010/|archive-date=2007-04-08}}</ref> [[Edward Speleers]] was selected for the role of Eragon.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/18/movies/18stor.html?_r=1&ex=1153368000&en=00794b0b1eb222d2&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin|title=He Was a Teenage Spy, Surrounded by Treacherous Adults |last=Lyall|first=Sarah|date=2006-07-18|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2009-01-31}}</ref> Over the following months, [[Jeremy Irons]], [[John Malkovich]], [[Chris Egan (actor)|Chris Egan]] and [[Djimon Hounsou]] were all confirmed as joining the cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canmag.com/news/4/3/4743|title=More Eragon Stills!|date=2006-08-15|author=Parsons, Ryan|access-date=2007-11-06|publisher=CanMag|archive-date=2007-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114213712/http://www.canmag.com/news/4/3/4743|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Principal photography for the film took place in [[Hungary]] and [[Slovakia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adventurelogue.com/destinations/silver-screen-destinations-eragon.html|title=Silver Screen Destinations: Eragon|publisher=AdventureTravelLogue|access-date=2009-01-31|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122014346/http://www.adventurelogue.com/destinations/silver-screen-destinations-eragon.html|archive-date=2008-11-22}}</ref>

The film received mostly negative reviews, garnering a 16% approval rating at [[Rotten Tomatoes]];<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2012-05-17|archive-date=2009-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304024712/http://au.rottentomatoes.com/m/eragon/|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|title=Eragon|url=http://au.rottentomatoes.com/m/eragon/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the tenth worst of 2006.<ref name="goldentomato">{{cite web |url=http://au.rottentomatoes.com/features/rtawards/movie_2006.php?r=10&mid=1159341&type=m |title=8th Annual Golden Tomatoes Awards |access-date=2007-11-06 |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114233018/http://au.rottentomatoes.com/features/rtawards/movie_2006.php?r=10&mid=1159341&type=m |archive-date=2007-11-14 }}</ref> ''[[The Seattle Times]]'' described it as "technically accomplished, but fairly lifeless and at times a bit silly".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003476247_eragon15.html |last=Macdonald |first=Moira |title=Even preteens aren't slayed by familiar tale |date=2006-12-14 |access-date=2007-11-06 |publisher=[[The Seattle Times]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114180306/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003476247_eragon15.html |archive-date=2007-11-14 }}</ref> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' said the world of ''Eragon'' was "without much texture or depth".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?&rid=8550 |last=Honeycutt |first=Kirk |title=Eragon |date=2006-12-14 |access-date=2007-11-06 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015211706/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?%26rid%3D8550 |archive-date=2007-10-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The story was labelled "derivative" by ''[[The Washington Post]]'',<ref name="washingtonpost">{{cite news
|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1111248&categories=Movies&nm=1|last=Hunter|first=Stephen|title=Eragon|access-date=2007-11-06|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> and "generic" by the ''Las Vegas Weekly''.<ref name="lasvegasweekly">{{cite news|access-date=2007-11-06|archive-date=2008-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102050337/http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/content/fileadmin/oldsite/2006/12/14/screen1.html|date=2006-12-14|first=Josh|last=Bell|title=Lord of the Wings|url=http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/content/fileadmin/oldsite/2006/12/14/screen1.html|work=Las Vegas Weekly}}</ref>
''[[Newsday]]'' stressed this point further, asserting that only "nine-year-olds with no knowledge whatsoever of any of the six ''[[Star Wars]]'' movies" would find the film original.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/ny-eterag5014666dec15,0,228990.story?coll=ny-moviereview-headlines|last=Seymour|first=Gene|title=Eragon|date=2006-12-15|access-date=2007-11-06|work=[[Newsday]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930221015/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/ny-eterag5014666dec15%2C0%2C228990.story?coll=ny-moviereview-headlines|archive-date=2007-09-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The acting was called "lame" by the ''Washington Post,''<ref name="washingtonpost" /> as well as "stilted" and "lifeless" by the ''[[Orlando Weekly]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandoweekly.com/film/review.asp?rid=12096|last=Ferguson|first=Jason|title=Eragon|date=2006-12-14|access-date=2007-11-06|work=[[Orlando Weekly]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011103213/http://orlandoweekly.com/film/review.asp?rid=12096|archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref> The dialogue was also criticized: [[MSNBC]] labelled it "silly";<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/eragon-star-wars-wannabe-wbna16192526|last=Germain|first=David|title='Eragon' is a 'Star Wars' wannabe|date = 2006-12-13|access-date=2007-11-06|publisher=[[Today.com]]}}</ref> the ''Las Vegas Weekly'' called it "wooden".<ref name="lasvegasweekly" /> Positive reviews described the film as "fun"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crazedfanboy.com/npcr06/moviereviewpcr351.shtml|title=This Week's Movie Review|publisher=Crazed Fanboy|author=Smith, Michael|access-date=2009-01-29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828172831/http://www.crazedfanboy.com/npcr06/moviereviewpcr351.shtml|archive-date=2008-08-28}}</ref> and "the stuff boys' fantasies are made of".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=12634&s=Reviews |title=Eragon |publisher=Urban Cinefile|access-date=2009-01-29}}</ref> The [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] work was called "imaginative" and Saphira was called a "magnificent creation".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/movies/295961_eragon15q.html |title=All that's missing are the hobbits |author=Arnold, William|work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|date=2006-12-15 |access-date=2009-01-29}}</ref> Paolini stated he enjoyed the film, particularly praising the performances of [[Jeremy Irons]] and [[Ed Speleers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.shurtugal.com/movieviewer.php?type=rev&id=119486 |title=Movie Viewer |publisher=Shurtugal.com |access-date=2009-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200331/http://media.shurtugal.com/movieviewer.php?type%3Drev%26id%3D119486 |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Eragon'' grossed approximately $75 million in the United States and $173.9 million elsewhere, totaling $249 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=eragon.htm |title=Eragon (2006) |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=2009-01-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215094727/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=eragon.htm |archive-date=2009-02-15 }}</ref> It is the fifth highest-grossing film with a [[dragon]] at its focal point,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=dragon.htm|title=Dragon- Focal Point of Movie Movies|access-date=2016-11-22|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118225200/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=dragon.htm|archive-date=2016-11-18}}</ref> and the sixth highest-grossing film of the [[sword and sorcery]] subgenre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=swordandsorcery.htm|title=Sword and Sorcery Movies|access-date=2012-03-02|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> ''Eragon'' was in release for seventeen weeks in the United States, opening on December 15, 2006, and closing on April 9, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=eragon.htm |title=Eragon (2006) |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=2009-01-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930235935/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=eragon.htm |archive-date=2007-09-30 }}</ref> It opened in 3,020 theaters, earning $8.7 million on opening day and $23.2 million across opening weekend, ranking second behind ''[[The Pursuit of Happyness]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2006&wknd=50&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for December 15–17, 2006 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=2009-01-29}}</ref> Eragon's $75 million total United States gross was the thirty-first highest for 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2006&p=.htm |title=2006 Yearly Box Office Results |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=2009-01-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201023501/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2006&p=.htm |archive-date=2009-02-01 }}</ref> The film earned $150 million in its opening weekend across 76 overseas markets, making it the #1 film worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i16891de0eed2dafe81a7b3b2da45259f |title='Eragon' soars atop overseas box office |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=2006-12-18 |access-date=2009-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328161015/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i16891de0eed2dafe81a7b3b2da45259f |archive-date=2010-03-28 |first=Frank |last=Segers |url-status=dead }}</ref> The film's $249 million total worldwide gross was the sixteenth highest for 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2006&p=.htm |title=2006 Yearly Box Office Results |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=2009-01-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030190712/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2006&p=.htm |archive-date=2007-10-30 }}</ref>

=== Television series ===
In June 2021, Christopher Paolini tweeted #EragonRemake in an effort to get Disney, the intellectual rights holders following their [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|acquisition of 21st Century Fox]], to revamp the book series into a possible television show for [[Disney+]]. Within hours, the hashtag began to trend with fans pushing for a proper adaptation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/eragon-christopher-paolini-fan-campaign-disney-remake/|website=The Wrap|title='Eragon' Author Encourages Fans to Push Disney for a 'Proper' Adaptation|last=Ortiz|first=Andi|date=June 20, 2021|access-date=June 20, 2021}}</ref> On July 25, 2022, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that a [[live action]] television series adaptation of ''Eragon'' was in early development for Disney+, with Paolini serving as a co-writer on the series, and with Bert Salke executive producing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/eragon-tv-series-disney-plus-1235325019/|website=Variety|title='Eragon' TV Series Adaptation in Development at Disney+ (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=July 25, 2022|access-date=July 25, 2022}}</ref>

=== Video game ===
{{main|Eragon (video game)}}
A [[Eragon (video game)|video game adaptation]] of ''Eragon'' based primarily on the film, released in North America on November 14, 2006. The game is a [[Third-person shooter|third-person]] [[video game]] released for [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[Xbox 360]] and [[Microsoft Windows]], developed by [[Stormfront Studios]].{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote|Eragon}}
* [http://www.alagaesia.com/books_detail.php?book=eragon ''Eragon''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520120556/http://www.alagaesia.com/books_detail.php?book=eragon |date=2012-05-20 }} at the official website
* {{ISFDB title|id=152581|title=Eragon}}

{{The Inheritance Cycle}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2003 American novels]]
[[Category:2003 fantasy novels]]
[[Category:American young adult novels]]
[[Category:Young adult fantasy novels]]
[[Category:The Inheritance Cycle]]
[[Category:American fantasy novels adapted into films]]
[[Category:Novels by Christopher Paolini]]
[[Category:Self-published books]]
[[Category:Alfred A. Knopf books]]
[[Category:Novels about dragons]]
[[Category:2003 debut novels]]
[[Category:Novels about magic]]
[[Category:Novels set in fictional countries]]