Garrett Hedlund, star of Tulsa King, recently reflected on his 2006 fantasy adventure Eragon, voicing disappointment over its untapped franchise potential as it marks 19 years without a sequel. Despite grossing $250 million, the film struggled with critical reception and audience engagement, creating a roadblock for planned adaptations of Eragon author Christopher Paolini’s subsequent novels.
While dragons have enjoyed a resurgence in popular culture, especially with the success of Game of Thrones, Eragon had the unique opportunity to bring to life Paolini’s beloved telepathic dragon, Saphira. Unfortunately, after poor reviews and average box office returns, Disney’s franchise ambitions fizzled out.
However, hope is on the horizon. Reports indicate that Disney+ is working on a series adaptation of Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle. This news surely brightens Hedlund’s spirits, as he expressed his desire for the original film to spawn a successful franchise during a recent panel at FanX’s Atlanta Comic Convention.
“It makes you smile when you take other things for granted. So that journey was a wonderful one. It’s a shame we couldn’t continue on with it because it came down to cash.”
Rediscovering the Eragon Universe
Could Hedlund Return for the Series?
In a promising development, Paolini hinted at negotiations for the Disney+ series on social media back in February, signaling that discussions are progressing toward a major contract. While the series was first announced in 2022, updates have been scarce, leaving fans anxiously waiting.
Despite the rocky history of Eragon, the success of other dragon-centric franchises, such as Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon, has showcased the audience’s unwavering appetite for heartfelt narratives involving these mythical creatures. With 2025’s live-action adaptation of HTTYD earning immense box office success, it’s clear that the desire for well-crafted dragon tales remains strong.
Hedlund’s Franchise Aspirations
Could the Series Redeem the Franchise?
While Hedlund cherished his time working on Eragon, the film itself has been heavily criticized. With a meager 15% rating from critics and a 46% approval from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, fans of the source material were particularly vocal about its shortcomings. They criticized its deviations from the books, subpar CGI, and underwhelming performances.
Yet, the tide may shift. With a new series format, Disney has a golden opportunity to stay true to Paolini’s books and fully explore the depth of its characters and world-building. Given the advancements in CGI technology, it could also deliver dragons that live up to what fans have always envisioned.
This is a pivotal moment for Disney. After missing the chance to launch an Eragon franchise when the market was ripe, the company may finally redeem itself with this upcoming series—transforming years of unfulfilled potential into a captivating adventure for a new generation.
As the anticipation builds, many fans, including Hedlund, are left eager to witness how the series will unfold, and whether it can finally bring to life the magic that Paolini crafted in his novels.
Source: Collider