After over two years of radio silence, fans ofChristopher Paolini’s tetralogy offantasy novelsThe Inheritance Cyclefinally have something to shout about. Paolini has reassured fans that the project to remake the book into a show,Eragonis still in the works, though it may take a while before it fully comes to life. Disneyannounced the series in 2022, in response tocalls from fanswho wanted to see the fantasy saga get a proper adaptation, especially after the disappointing 2006 film. But with no official news since then, many feared the project had been swept under the carpet.
TheEragonmovie made its way to the big screen in 2006 with 20th Century Fox’s adaptation, featuringEd Speleersin the lead role alongside a star-studded cast that includedRachel Weisz,Jeremy Irons,Garrett Hedlund, andJohn Malkovich. Despite the hype surrounding its release,the film fell flat, with both critics and fans adjudging it to have failed to capture the magic of the book. Any hopes for a sequel quickly faded, leaving the franchise dormant – until now. Paolini has spoken up, confirming thatwhile progress is slow, the series has not been canceled.In a recent post onX, (formerly Twitter), Paolini addressed the uncertainty surrounding the show’s development:
“Btw, Disney+ #Eragon show is still on track. Can’t say anything more until a major contract gets signed. (Hollywood negotiations take forever.)”
Why an ‘Eragon’ Revival Makes Sense for Disney+
Paolini was 18 when he introduced readers toEragon,the first book in what would becomeThe Inheritance Cycle. As the series grew, so did its fanbase, with millions of copies flying off shelves worldwide. His success cemented him as one of the youngest bestselling authors in the fantasy genre. Years later, in 2018, he revisited the world of Alagaësia withThe Fork,the Witch, and the Worm, a collection of short stories that expanded the lore of his fictional universe of Alagaësia.
Given the success of Disney+’sPercy Jackson and the Olympians, it’s easy to see whyEragonwould be next in line for a revival. In 2021, the hashtag #EragonRemake trended on social media, with fans rallying for a fresh adaptation. While it’s unclear if this directly influenced Disney’s decision,the demand for a faithfulEragonseries has been strong for years.And with other streaming heavyweights investing heavily in fantasy – HBO’sHarry Potterrebootand Prime Video’sRings of Power, it makes perfect business sense for Disney+ to step up its game in the genre. Much like theHarry Potternovels and theLord of the Ringsnovels,The Inheritance Cycleis a detailed body of work that will better benefit from a series treatment to exhaust the various story arcs.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the developingEragonseries.
