UK: Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich and newcomer Ed Speleers attend world premiere of fantasy adventure 'Eragon'.

Record ID: 220598

  • Title: UK: Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich and newcomer Ed Speleers attend world premiere of fantasy adventure 'Eragon'.
  • Date: 14th December 2006
  • Summary: ACTOR JEREMY IRONS SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS
  • Embargoed: 29th December 2006 12:00
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  • Reuters ID: LVAD49VMQ82IRDURJEEEQ0AFJ7QX
  • Story Text: The big-screen adaptation of best-selling fantasy adventure 'Eragon' received its world premiere in London on Monday (December 11, 2006).
    'Eragon', written by then 16-year-old American teenager Christopher Paolini was an instant success when released in 2003 -- spending 87 consecutive weeks on The New York Times Bestseller List. The story was brought onto the silver screen by director Stefen Fangmeier, and stars Hollywood A-listers John Malkovich, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Guillory and Djimon Hounsou.
    The title role, however, went to newcomer Ed Speleers who beat out competition from thousands of hopefuls around the world, getting the part just six weeks before filming commenced.
    "It's been chaotic. The last eighteen months have been nothing but madness. But at the end of the day I have just been living my dream, this is what I wanted to do from a much younger age and to be here tonight is the pinnacle of everything that's happened in the past eighteen months and I'm just delighted to be here," the young actor said on the red carpet.
    "It was obviously a hard experience and it was all very new to me but look, I just tried to lose the attitude and just enjoy it as much as I can, take each day as it came and just have fun with it, you know, I had nothing to lose," he added.
    'Eragon' is the coming of age story of a young farm boy 'Eragon', who upon finding a dragon egg, learns of his fate to become a dragon rider and eventually save his kingdom from power-hungry king Galbatorix (Malkovich).
    Malkovich and British actor Robert Carlyle, who bring terror onto the screen with their portrayals of the evil king and his aide, Durza, said they enjoyed playing the villains.
    "I kind of enjoyed that, you know, it's kind of easier in a sense because the make-up kind of half does it for you, you're sitting there for over three hours letting it transform yourself into this guy, so it was relatively simple," said Carlyle.
    "Well, you get into it because you are a professional actor so you try and do what's required, really, and that's all," Malkovich explained.
    With his all star cast and much-loved storyline, Stefen Fangmeier, who makes his directorial debut with 'Eragon' knew he was holding a winning formula. The director, who previously worked in visual effects, supervising films such as 'Saving Private Ryan', 'Master and Commander' and 'Twister', said he expected comparisons to other famous fantasy films, but was confident timing was right for a new take on magic and adventure.
    "Well, I really took it as an opportunity, you know, that everybody says, aren't you worried about being compared to 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Harry Potter', I said there is an audience, people I know are excited about this type of a movie so I felt it was a good opportunity to still produce something new but also have people who have expectations and are waiting for this, which is so great. It makes it kind of easier to walk out and say 'here is my fantasy movie' because in some way people are ready for it," he said.
    Also attending the premiere was author Paolini, who denied worrying too much about the movie adaptation of his imaginary world and added he was happy with the end result.
    "I wouldn't say fears. I certainly wanted to make sure that the movie was as good as possible and that it was faithful to the book. When I watched the movie I have to admit there were parts to it where some of the pieces of dialogue were right out of the book and I just got chills down my spine. And to be standing here now for the premiere is really an extraordinary experience," he said.
    Jeremy Irons, whose career has seen the actor take on a variety of different roles both on-screen and on the stage, paid tribute to Paolini, citing the youngster's writing both inspiring and attractive.
    "What is new about this film is that it's written by a sixteen-year-old. And it's for sixteen-year-olds. It's the perspective of life upon life that a sixteen-year-old has, it speaks directly and I think that's the only reason I can understand that the book was so successful. It was a huge best-seller both here and in America. And there is a communication, it has a simplicity to it, it has a slight naivety, a vulnerability, a sensitivity as a story. And I think it's because Christopher was sixteen when he wrote it," said Irons.
    'Eragon' is part of a trilogy and the second book, 'Eldest' has caused an equally big hype as Paolini's debut. Whether the sequel will make it onto the big screen, only time will tell.
    'Eragon' will be released in the United Kingdom and the United States on December 15, 2006.
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