MovieChat Forums > Eragon (2006) Discussion > COMPLETELY REMAKE THE MOVIE ACCORDING TO...

COMPLETELY REMAKE THE MOVIE ACCORDING TO THE BOOK

posted 13 years ago by vampyr_princess6966
44 replies | jump to latest

Okay so i am an avid reader and i really love it when some of my favorite books get turned into movies, but it pains me deeply when the filmmakers absolutely SLAUGHTER the book like they did when they turned Eragon from page to film. I especially DESPISE the scene where Eragon is teaching Saphira to fly and up she goes and wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am now shes full grown, wtf is that all about?? they could have just cut to darkness thrown up some words and then had her land and be bigger... and that's not even all of my beef with this film.
Another beef is that Eragon finds Saphira's "stone/egg" in the late fall and the egg hatches shortly after the first snowfall of the year, and then the Raz'ac attack perhaps a couple of weeks at most a month and a half after Saphira hatches, again it is still winter, but in the movie its like the height of summer.
This is a minor one but its a huge deal to, Ayra's hair is supposed to be black on page, and the filmmakers, i guess must've decided that she would look better as a strawberry blond. I'm sorry but she doesn't at all. Does it really cost that much money to dye your hair black? It does grow out, and there are now ways to remove black dye, hell they could have even done a temporary dye for the actress.
And when the filmmakers tried to depict Farthen'Dur the giant hollow volcano, EPIC FAIL.
The filmmakers did so poorly in this film that there is now no way for the second book to be put to film, or the third book or now the fourth book that is coming out soon. and i would dearly love to see the entirety of the books on the big screen, but not if they are as crappy as this film.
I say that Chris Paloni should just toss this film out the window of a speeding car and work out a better deal with the filmmakers for a more exact doing of his books, and he should take a more direct part in the making/writing of this film, i mean hes the guy with the best idea of how all this stuff should look.
These filmmakers BUTCHERED the book, and its a damn shame, the books were wonderfully written and exceptional works of fantasy and for the right director would have made multibillions of dollars for cast, crew, author, publisher and all concerened. but because this one got butchered there is a dying intrest in this wonderful series.

[–] garybatmanbusey 13 years ago

its a shame, it could have been another star wars/harry potter/lord of the rings type set of films.

instead we got an idiots version, made by people who skimmed the synopsis only, have no clue about making films or just really couldnt be arsed.

unfortunatly i cant see these getting re-done not in the next 10-15 years anyhow. that movie basically did a lot of damage.

'All for one and one for all! You go first, I've got a bad leg.'

[–] skoobaba 13 years ago

Only an idiot would fail to see that this IS another star wars movie. It has the exact same story as Star Wars ep 4. Its plaguarism. Nothing else. Written by a kid who got published by his parents who are publishers.

[–] holgers-k 13 years ago

Did you even read the books???

[–] skoobaba 13 years ago

I am sorry to say I read the first one.

[–] FairlyAnonymous 11 years ago

If you are going to call plagiarism at least compare it to Lord of the Rings instead... which is what most fantasies are based off of now hahaha.

[–] thunderztorm 11 years ago

Thing is, Star Wars used the same story archetype as Lord of the Rings did - "The Hero's Journey".

[–] FairlyAnonymous 11 years ago

I wasn't talking about the plot to Lord of the Rings, I was talking about the atmosphere and character designs. The world that Lord of the Rings created (elves, dwarves, fire demons, wizards, tree people, trolls, goblins, orcs etc..) was unique at the time, but now it is used it pretty much every RPG out there.

[–] Dyellyc 10 years ago

"It has the exact same story as Star Wars ep 4. "

It is common knowledge in the film industry that SWE4 is a "fairy tale" set in space.

Even Mr Ridley Scott said that in the behind the scenes of Alien Decalogy DVDs. As thunderztorm said, Eragon is using the hero's journey formula.

So how can Eragon copy elements from a film which in turn borrows from the genre that Eragon belongs to?

[–] GhostWriterX 9 years ago

While the general plot of Star Wars is a common one that has existed long before George Lucas tried it out, in that an unlikely hero arises to battle a seemingly unbeatable threat, Eragon copied SPECIFIC details, such as scenes, characters and certain plot points, from Star Wars and put them in a fantasy setting. It copied Lord of the Rings too, in terms of setting and the fantasy population, but the plot and characters are from Star Wars.
I'd make a list of the specific things Eragon took from Star Wars, but others have already made several lists, to which I'll provide a link to a some of them:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449010/board/thread/171799858

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449010/board/thread/171799858?d=172509518 #172509518

Back in my day, we didn't have that thing you had.

[–] mikeserota 7 years ago

I agree that the stories are definitely similar but not so sure if they're EXACTLY the same. How does Murtagh relate to the story of Star Wars: Episode IV?

[–] ligrl4387 12 years ago

I completely agree with you. I saw the movie first, in theaters.. simply because of the dragon. It looked awesome in the trailer. I can't really recall how I felt about the movie after I watched it, it was so long ago. I think I liked more of the idea of the movie, story line, plot, etc, but not the movie itself. I recieved the books (three of them in the box set) as a present a few years later, and I was HOOKED. I watched the movie again after reading the first one and HOLY CRAP! I really do think they just read the synopsis (as someone above stated). Wow. Roran being forced into a war? Galbatorix being shown on-screen? Elves not having pointed ears? NO DWARFS (pretty sure i dont remember any) What the HELL were they thinking?! In short-they weren't. Im really hoping they remake this movie and do it right, so we can have all four, or five if they do two for the last book.
WORST book adaptation EVER.

Time is destroyer of all things.

[–] zandylovesRISK 12 years ago

''WORST book adaptation EVER.'' Yeah it pretty much is.

Half-Blood Son of Poseidon, Son of Adam, Gryffindor 7th year and Honorary TR: Underworld fan

[–] skoobaba 12 years ago

More like "Adaptation of the worst book EVER".

[–] zandylovesRISK 12 years ago

The book series is pretty awesome even if the movie isn't.

Half-Blood Son of Poseidon, Son of Adam, Gryffindor 7th year and Honorary TR: Underworld fan

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Xerlientt 8 years ago

Is not a great book but at least is fun, fast paced and the characters are good, besides worst book ever? not even close
-Fifty Shades of Gray
-Twilight
-The Host
-The Da Vinci Code
-Mortal Instruments
do I need to go on?

[–] jbeck2010 11 years ago

Nah, I have to give that title to the Percy Jackson movie.

Unbowed,Unbent,Unbroken

[–] zandylovesRISK 11 years ago

Don't know about that. The Lightning Thief left out really the whole secret behind the quest with the helm also being stolen and changed Hades involvement but it seemed in Eragon, they changed the whole part from when Eragon rescues Arya to the battle in the Dwarf city. They don't even show the Dwarfs at all and the battle is totally different with the absence of the diamond.

Half-Blood #18 and Son of Poseidon, Son of Adam, Gryffindor 7th year

[–] jbeck2010 11 years ago

Leaving Kronos out of the Percy Jackson series is the inheritance equivalent of leaving out Galbatorix. They also aged the characters up 4 years, changed Annabeth's hair (not really important, but if we're going to complain about Arya), killed Luke (or at least made the lightning bolt pathetic as a weapon) and of course butchered the entire journey to the underworld.

And Eragon at least has some excuse for some cuts because of how long the book is. The Lightning Thief is much shorter.

Unbowed,Unbent,Unbroken

[–] zandylovesRISK 11 years ago

I wasn't talking about Arya herself though I can't remember how she is described but more of the whole part with fleeing where she was held prisoner to the dwarf city was completely wrong. Age and Annabeth's hair doesn't really count. They really didn't butcher the journey to the Underworld but made a reason they had to go to the places in the book for the confrontations as they could drive.

Half-Blood #18 and Son of Poseidon, Son of Adam, Gryffindor 7th year

[–] arnob_iboy 12 years ago

Thank god someone feels the same, the movie does not do justice to the film at all; its all about the details, for me especially Arya; who the hell decided to go with that hair colour!? That's not Arya at all!
I hope that they remake this film with a good director, such as the director of Lord of the Rings, he seems perfect to fit the role because the fans loved the books as much as the films and I wish I would say the same about Eragon, but not this film. Never.

[–] CybranM 12 years ago

Yes please, put Peter jackson behind the seat and let him make a real movie adaptation of the books. I mean, how could they *beep* up even the simplest of things? Like how the Urgals diden't have horns in the movie, which they should. And Tronjheim which should be a ancient dwarven city, HOW THE *beep* DID THEY FAIL THAT BADLY!? Not to mention the Ra'zac...
If Peter Jackson or someone with experience in making movies would make these books into movies, I bet they would be on the level of epicness as Lord of the Rings or Star Wars.

[–] chilishasta_5 12 years ago

I watched the movie in theaters before i read any of the books. And I walked away so confused that I had to go get the books to figure out what was going on.
One Saphira is grown what over night? Then the journey that took forever took no time at all and while watching the movie I was left wondering 'wait how'd they get here when they were just there' there was a bunch of those moments actually. I would be surprised if anyone understood what was going on.

Absolutely Love the books and would love to see them all as movies but done right I can wait another 10-20 years for them to remake them if they just do it right.

[–] GonzoNinja 12 years ago

It's clear why they made a bunch of changes, the first book was the plot of Star Wars set in Middle Earth.

[–] skoobaba 12 years ago

Yeah lets completely remake the books, just as the SW rip-offs that they are. The kids won`t notice this at all anwyay, so go for it. Can even rename Brom Obi-Wan. Doesn`t matter. Nobody will notice it.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] skoobaba 12 years ago

1. 1st scene: Female elf magically transports a dragon egg, hiding it from evil doers. (Princess Leia sends a droid to an escape pod, hiding it from evil doers.)
2. Eragon lives on farm with uncle. (Luke lives on farm with aunt and uncle.)
3. Eragon’s parentage unknown. (Luke’s parentage unknown.)
4. Riders possess magical powers and were wiped out by Galbatorix. (Jedi possess magical powers and were wiped out by Vader and the Emperor.)
5. Galbatorix is a former Rider who enlisted another to destroy Riders. (Vader is a former Jedi who was enlisted to destroy the Jedi.)
6. The Empire rules all and it threatened by a small, mysterious band (Vardens) who “constantly raided and attacked the Empire.” (The Empire rules all and is threatened by a small, mysterious band, the Rebel Alliance.)
7. Galbatorix learned “dark secrets” from a Shade. (Vader and Palpatine learned the dark side from their mentors.)
8. Vrael defeated Galbatorix but “hesitated with the final blow.” (Obi-Wan defeated Vader but did not kill him.)
9. Eragon stumbles upon the egg. (Luke stumbles upon the droid.)
10. The dragon hatches, releasing powers Eragon didn’t know he had. (The droid runs away, leading Luke on a journey that releases powers he didn’t know he had.)
11. Evil men looking for the egg burn Eragon’s farm, killing his uncle. (Evil men looking for the droid burn Luke’s farm, killing his aunt and uncle.
12. Eragon goes out for revenge and old, gray Brom goes, too. (Luke goes out to return the droid and old, gray Obi-Wan goes, too.)
13. Brom speaks to dragons. (Obi-Wan has powers, too.)
14. Brom presents a sword to Eragon. (Obi-Wan presents a lightsaber to Luke.)
15. Brom secures horses for transport. (Obi-Wan secures the Falcon for transport).
16. Eragon is the first in a new line of Riders. (Luke is the first in a new line of Jedi.)
17. On the journey, Brom teaches Eragon to fight. (On the journey, Obi-Wan teaches Luke to fight.)
18. They come across a destroyed village, all inhabitants dead. (They come across a destroyed planet, all inhabitants dead.)
19. Brom asks Eragon to levitate a rock. (Luke’s training included levitating rocks.(
20. The egg was supposed to be sent to Brom. (The droid was supposed to be sent to Obi-Wan.)
21. Brom lived incognito in Carvahall to look after Eragon. (Obi-Wan lived incognito on Tatooine to look after Luke.)
22. Brom reveals himself to have been a Dragon Rider. (Obi-Wan reveals himself to be a Jedi.)
23. Brom and Eragon cross paths with Murtagh, slightly older than Eragon, who does not “owe allegiance to anyone but” himself. (Obi-Wan and Luke cross paths with Han Solo, slightly older than Luke who only looks after himself.)
24. Brom sacrifices himself to the Ra’zac to save Eragon. (Obi-Wan sacrifices himself to save Luke.)
25. Brom was friends with Morzan, a Rider who turned to evil. (Obi-Wan was friends with Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi who turned to evil.)
26. Brom took Morzan’s sword after he defeated him in battle and gave it to Eragon. (Obi-Wan took Anakin’s lightsaber after he defeated him in battle and gave it to Luke.)
27. Eragon wants to find a beautiful, mysterious woman who is being held prisoner. (Luke wants to find a beautiful, mysterious woman who is being held prisoner.)
28. Eragon and Murtagh rescue an elf woman from prison. (Luke and Han rescue Princess Leia from prison.)
29. Arya holds information vital to the success of the Varden. (Leia holds information vital to the success of the Rebels.)
30. Arya was ruthlessly tortured to reveal the location of the Varden. (Leia is ruthlessly tortured to reveal the location of the Rebel base.)
31. Attempting to return Arya to the Varden, Eragon and Murtagh are pursued all the way to the secret base, which takes them in. (Attempting to return Leia to the Rebels, Luke and Han are pursued all the way to the secret base, which takes them in.
32. It turns out that Arya was the one who sent the egg to the Spine. (Leia was the one who sent R2-D2 to Tatooine.
33. Murtagh reveals that he is the secret son of Morzan, Galbatorix’s most faithful follower. (Darth Vader, the Emperor’s most faithful follower, reveals himself to be Luke’s father.)
34. Urgals advance on Tronjheim. (The Death Star advances on Yavin.)
35. Eragon destroys the Shade. (Luke destroys the Death Star.)

Yeah...clearly not a rip-off...

[–] trickg1 12 years ago

LOL! I love it! Clear back when I started reading Eragon, I immediately noticied the similarities between Eragon and Star Wars. While the tale is definitely altered, the structure of the plot and the major characters, and how they all fit into the story, is almost a one-for-one exchange throughout.

Fortunately the rest of the series deviates, but it was almost like he took Star Wars, changed the the names, and then dropped it right into the middle of "The Lord of the Rings" - the comparisons to that are pretty evident as well:

LOTR: Elves with fair hair, astounding strength, speed and agility and live in secret cities deep in the old forests.
Eragon: same

LOTR: Dwarves - bearded, short, stout, amazing at digging and developing under ground, and have fine artisans. They are quick of temper, but make fine art amd weapons
Eragon: Same

LOTR: Orcs and Uruk-hai are ugly, ferocious bad guys intent on raiding and killing.
Eragon: Mostly the same - they just call them Urgals

LOTR: Has dragons
Eragon: Has dragons, although the roles are somewhat different

Etc. I could go on because there are so many comparisons between the two that can be drawn.

So Christopher Paolini may not have original ideas - I'm ok with that. However, his ability to tell a good story is what I believe made it worthy to be made into a good movie, and why it should be completely rebooted at some point in the future - probably after the last book has had a chance to simmer down some.

"My name is Gladiator"

[–] skoobaba 12 years ago

The bit with the dragons are stolen from Dragonriders of Pern, actually. the autor har mentioned several times that this is one of his favorite books.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Nice1972 12 years ago

They should make Eragon TV series. Ten two hour episodes and the budget should be at least 800 million dollars.

[–] lboucher94-386-728001 12 years ago

You are right in certain matters and I usually expect some interpretations. Steven King let the butchers have "Carrie" and he vowed never to let any of his books out without his having the final say on it, but then again he didn't have a series.
What I don't see in the comments though is that there was no movie. These were a series of scenes cut and pasted together in order to fill up 104 minutes. They didn't even have some kind of flow from one to the next. The Elves road ponies and wore beads and feathers. Where did that come from?
You say "slaughtered" and "butchered", but each scene had okay special effects, but no one told these different special effects groups that there was going to be a movie connected to them. Eragon's mentor is a sniveling coward and his brother runs away from the town he was supposed to save and help reach safety.
It has been long enough (6 years) that a remake would definitely work. I would love to have the cash to do it because you would have free publicity from the previous debacle, you would have millions of fans just waiting to spend their money, and Christopher Paolini would be right in there with you making sure it came out right this time.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] memnoch96668 12 years ago

Completely agree to the butchering of this movie, whoever adapted it really didn't read the book for sure.
I think Peter Jackson should direct the movies and all the others if it ever happens, he did such a good job with the Lord of the Ring series that, I'm sure he would do an excellent job with Eragon. I thought I was about to see a beautiful movie and my Dragons and myself found ourselves more than disappointed.

Plus the actors were not really portraying the real persona of any characters, mentally and even physically.

[–] captainraison 12 years ago

I really want to see an remake that sticks to the story line, and is freaking epic. If no-one else will, guess I'll have to do it, gee whiz. Too bad I don't know how. Yet. heh heh heh.

Yes, I am a Genius