The vision and triumph of christopher paolini

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supervised films such as “Saving Private Ryan,” “Twister,” “The Perfect Storm” and“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.” He is a three-time BAFTA Awardwinner, and is a four-time Oscar nominee.For ERAGON, Fangmeier’s visual effects teams employ every state-of-the-arttechnique to create Saphira and take the audience to the magical, timeless world ofAlagaësia – not forward to a futuristic science fiction creation. Under his direction, WolfKroeger’s production design, Hugh Johnson’s cinematography, and Kym Barrett’s sleekcostumes, give the film a contemporary edge.THE CASTFor the filmmakers, the stakes couldn’t have been higher in casting their youngDragon Rider, Eragon. Newcomer Ed Speleers emerged from the months-long,worldwide casting search. “Ed came in [to the casting session], and we just looked ateach other and said, ‘That’s Eragon, that’s the guy from the book,’” says director StefenFangmeier: “I got a strong sense of Ed’s sparkle, of his life. It’s the kind of thing whereyou 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 of“Hamlet.” He couldn’t help but be awed by this, his professional acting debut. “Duringproduction in Slovakia, we were lifted by helicopter to the top of a large mountainsurrounded by incredible scenery,” he remembers. “I stood at the edge of this mountain,thinking, ‘What’s going on here? I’m supposed to be at school taking my exams, and I’mhere having the best time of my life.’ If I continue to make movies – which I would loveto do – I don’t think I will ever get that same, overwhelming feeling.”The young actor easily grew into the role. Indeed, Speleers sees parallels betweenhis experiences making ERAGON and his on-screen character’s journey. “I was on anew adventure, just like Eragon was,” he explains. “I had a well-structured life, doingregular things, and then I was suddenly thrown into this incredible world, starring in amovie. It’s been a great time for me to find myself (as Eragon does in the story), meetnew people, and have new experiences.”A highlight of Speleers’ experiences on ERAGON was working opposite JeremyIrons, who portrays Eragon’s mentor, Brom. The actors’ off-screen relationship mirrored4
what was happening on camera. “Jeremy always provided words of advice, and alwaysnurtured me,” Speleers recalls. “He was doing so out of the kindness of his heart, but atthe same time so much of Brom was in Jeremy.”Irons says he was ready to tackle a big action-adventure picture. “ERAGONreaches an audience that I haven’t reached in a while,” he says. “Equally important,Brom appealed to me; he has a wryness and fierceness, but at the same time he’s a goodman.”To prepare for the role, Irons read Eragon, and trained in the method ofswordplay Paolini describes in his book. “It’s a specific style of fighting,” Irons notes.“It’s like Eastern swordplay, and is more esoteric than English medieval styles. Ipracticed almost every day to build the wrist strength necessary to realistically play thefighting scenes.” The many riding scenes were less of a challenge to Irons, anexperienced horseman.Brom’s and Eragon’s fates are closely tied to the evil King Galbatorix, played byOscar-nominee John Malkovich. Galbatorix is a central character in the film, one whosepresence and menace are felt even when he’s offscreen.Although Malkovich shares no scenes with Ed Speleers, the young actor and hisgrowing following made a distinct impression on him. “Before leaving for Budapest, afriend of mine told me that he had a bunch of kids who wanted Ed’s autograph,” herecounts. “I hadn’t experienced anything like that since working with LeonardoDiCaprio [in “The Man in the Iron Mask”].The chief “aide” to Malkovich’s Galbatorix is Durza, a sorcerer possessed withdemonic spirits. Durza is tall, handsome and pale, with red hair and maroon eyes. He islordly in manner, but his refinement masks something unnatural.BAFTA Award-winner Robert Carlyle, as Durza, made a strong impression on EdSpeleers. “Our first meeting was intense,” says Speleers. “Robert wore a long wig,contact lenses and full-flowing outfit. I didn’t need to get into character to react oppositeRobert as Durza,” laughs Speleers. “He was Durza!”“Robert came in very much wanting to do ERAGON, and his approach to Durzawas to not make the character obvious and over-the-top in his villainy,” says WyckGodfrey. “Durza has an agenda and with his red eyes and hair, and pale skin, there are5
Page 1 and 2: ERAGON, a fantasy adventure for you
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Page 13 and 14: ERAGON CHARACTER PROFILESERAGONErag
Page 15 and 16: ABOUT THE CASTED SPELEERS (Eragon),
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The vision and triumph of christopher paolini

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