More dragons are headed to a streaming service near you. Variety reports that a new, live-action adaptation of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle is in development at Disney+—not just Eragon, the first book, but all four books. Paolini will be co-writer on the series, with Bert Salke (Tru Calling) executive producing.
Eragon was adapted into a movie in 2005. It was not well received, and the sequels were not adapted. Last year, Paolini was part of a fan campaign to get Disney (who held the rights to the book) to make a “proper Eragon adaptation.” As The Wrap noted, if the campaign succeeded, Paolini would join Rick Riordan in having their popular novels adapted first into somewhat disappointing films, and then into Disney+ series. And here we are!
Much of the original press about Eragon focused on the fact that Paolini wrote the first draft of the novel when he was 15. His family originally self-published the novel, which was republished by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers after the author Carl Hiassen brought it to their attention.
The story follows a farm boy whose life changes dramatically when he discovers a strange stone that turns out to be a dragon egg. The book’s description says:
When fifteen-year-old Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.
Overnight his simple life is shattered, and, gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire.
There are three sequels, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance, and according to Paolini’s website, he intends to return to this world at some point.
In 2020, Paolini’s new novel, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, was optioned for a film adaptation, but there’s been no news on that front since.
No release date or casting has been announced for Eragon.
