Words cannot describe how much I absolutely abhorred the 2006 Eragon movie. I felt disgusted, infuriated, and downright dumbfounded after I watched it. How could a book be butchered so badly when translated over to film? Anywho, here's an idea as to how it could have been done right. First of all, write the script almost exactly like how the book told the story. Second, get a director who would actually respect Paolini's story and be able to make it as magical onscreen as in the novel... maybe Joss Whedon (Firefly) or Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth). Along with these changes, a new cast is also essential because most of the actors were so off, it boggles the mind as to how someone could fabricate such a cast. Well, that being said, here's my cast, of which I am 110% confident would work much, much better than the original cast. The movie would still be released at the same time, 2006. Enjoy!
ANDREW GARFIELD as ERAGON
Garfield has gotten pretty well known now with Spiderman and The Social Network, but back in '06, he was still just starting. His complexion and overall attitude in certain roles he has filled is beyond perfect for Eragon. His kind of angled face he has, which was less handsome and more funny-looking than it is now, is very similar to how I pictured Eragon when reading the books, especially starting in thee second book. Certainly feels like a much better choice than the pretty-boy Ed Speelers who could not connect with the character to save his life.
RACHEL WEISZ as the voice of SAPHIRA
One of only two cast choices that I'm keeping the same, Weisz actually did a solid job voicing Saphira. Granted the script was horrid and the connection between Eragon and Saphira was about .00001% as strong as it is in the book, Weisz actually breathes life into Saphira and really communicates her cocky personality.
RICHARD WILSON as BROM
Honestly, Jeremy Irons didn't do an awful job as Brom, but he doesn't physically match the description of the character at all and, well, Wilson, does AND would play the role better than Irons to boot. The hit show "Merlin" wouldn't have started yet, but it is still clear evidence that Wilson would be able to play the character of Brom very well, especially if they make his life and plot line as it was in the book instead of ruining it.
HEATH LEDGER as RORAN
The choice for Roran in the original film, Egan, did not capture the character of Roran even remotely. Ledger would not only look a lot more like how Roran was described in the novel, but would be able to handle Roran's complex character infinitely better than Egan did, especially if the series were to be continued into Eldest and even Brisingr and Inheritance. He would sadly pass away in 2008, as we all well know, but seeing him in a quality version of Eragon as Roran would have been absolutely amazing; even more amazing if the follow-up, Eldest, could be released the following year.
KRYSTEN RITTER as ARYA DROTTNINGU
I don't know what the casting director for the original film was smoking when they cast Arya because Guillory could not look more wrong for the part. Literally in the book, she is described as exotic looking with dark hair. Guillory, in the film, looked like this basic ginger girl, which really took away from the character's appeal. Ritter is a much better choice as she captures the essence of Arya much better (she even looks a little bit elvish in real life) and is a far superior actress. She actually is probably the best physical resemblance I have here, and I feel like it takes two photos at least to really communicate this comparison. So here's another picture of her closer to the time this film would be made...
BEN WHISHAW as MURTAGH
Hedlund is actually an actor I'm fairly fond of, yet even his performance in the film was mediocre at best. It's like he took Murtagh and made him the stereotypical dark, mysterious character and gave him no depth whatsoever. Also, I don't think he really looked the part too well either. Whishaw is an actor whose simply above mediocrity and he would be able to look like a very convincing torn and tried traveler.
REBECCA HALL as KATRINA
Hall is exactly how I pictured Katrina in the novel and fits the character extremely well. She's one of my favorite actresses and she was just getting the momentum of her career going in 2006 with "The Prestige", and a successful Eragon film would have been a great opportunity for her. Katrina is a character full of ambition and Hall is possibly the best actress around when it comes to such a character (The Prestige, Dorian Gray, Iron Man 3, ect.)
PHIL FONDACARO as ORIK
It's not like there's a plethora of dwarf actors to choose from in Hollywood, but it certainly seems like Fandacaro is the one for the job here. He really looks like the rough-n-tough type and he's got a solid acting background. I guess the writer's for the movie just didn't feel the need to include Orik, Eragon's constant companion after Brom's passing. They literally removed him from the story...yeah...
DJIMON HOUNSOU as AJIHAD
Hounsou is other other of the two that I am keeping the same. He is a very reliable actor and he looks just right as Ajihad. I honestly can't think of another actor in Hollywood who could match the character as well. An improved script would allow for Hounsou to give a much more memorable and worthwhile performance here than in the version that actually (unfortunately) happened.
JOY BRYANT as NASUADA
Bryant is absolutely gorgeous and Nasuada really has to be. The casting for Nasuada in the film wasn't the worst, but she was literally made irrelevant in said film, which shouldn't have happened. If Bryant were provided with a good script and the opportunity to bring Nasuada to life, she would deliver.
BENICIO DEL TORO as DURZA
The orginal Durza did capture the look of the Shade, I'll give them that, but that was all that was accomplished. The acting was painfully bad, absolutely appalling performance. Del Toro captures the appearance at least just as well and would find it very natural to play the character of Durza, and is much less likely to overdo the evilness factor, unlike the original choice.
HEATHER GRAHAM as GERTRUDE
Like Orik, the writers just decided to leave this very important character out of the film, too, if I remember correctly. Graham would do a great job playing the hypno-psycho herbalist; she has the crazy-lady look in her eyes.
KENNETH TIGAR as UNCLE GARROW
Alun Armstrong as Garrow certainly wasn't bad at all, but the thought of Tigar being able to have been Garrow is just beautiful. The character is only in the movie for the beginning but is supposed to leave a huge impact on the both Eragon and Roran. Armstrong did the best he could with what he was dealt and would do a very good job if given a spot in a superior rendition of the story... but not as good as Tigar would do. Tigar can convey an emotion in a short amount of time like no other. His inclusion would make for a beautiful introduction to the film.
No inclusion of Galbatorix in this rendition of the film. Having John Malkovich be a cameo as Galbatorix was beyond pointless and a complete waste of money. Galbatorix is the unreachable king, so if the series were to continue to include all four books, the impact would be a lot stronger if they kept Galbatorix shrouded for the first film. If I did have to choose an actor to play Galbatorix, it would be between the cliche choice of Christopher Lee and the more original choice of Eli Wallach.
As mentioned before, I would probably like to see the series go on to include all four of the books, so I'm going to extend this cast a little to include three characters whose importance rises in the second book, Eldest, which would be planned to be released a year after the first film, in 2007.
GEORGE CLOONEY as OROMIS
Clooney is certainly not the actor I expected to be including in this cast, but it's undeniable that he fits the character extremely well. Background in playing the pensive character, older yet looks young at the same time, exotic skin tone. Clooney is sort of hit or miss with me, but I honestly feel like he is the best choice here.
MORENA BACCARIN as ISLANZADI
Baccarin is beyond perfect to play the Elvin Queen. She has visual chemistry with Ritter, which is essential. Compared to Ritter, she is more regal looking and even more exotic. Not to mention she is one of my favorite actresses of all time, being a part of my favorite cast ever, Firefly. Her performance here would be literally perfection.
ISABELLE FUHRMAN as ELVA
Fuhrman got started at a young age and even then had this intense presense to her. As a teenager, you can see this in "The Hunger Games", but back in 2006/2007, she didn't have much under her belt. She was on the scene, however, and would be the perfect Elva. Elva would probably be the most difficult character to play in the entire cast, but Fuhrman would be able to pull it off grandly.
And so there you have it. Sorry this partially turned into a rant about how much a despised the actual film, but it was inevitable. Anywho, please comment what you think below! Constructive criticism always welcome!