SUBMITTED BY Timbo

January 20, 2004 — USA Today has an article on how Hollywood is trying to capitalize on the appetite by audiences for fantasy by snapping up other fantasy properties. One of these is the book series "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini.

Fox 2000, a division of 20th Century Fox, snagged the hottest fantasy title of the moment, one in a planned Inheritance trilogy by 20-year-old wonder scribe Christopher Paolini.

"We read the book very early in manuscript form when the family was trying to self-publish it," says Elizabeth Gabler, president of Fox 2000. "We found the core relationship between a boy and a dragon who share a telepathic connection a strong concept for a movie."

She realizes that Eragon echoes Tolkien in its pseudo-Celtic language and imagined universe of dwarfs and elves. The novel also owes a debt to Luke Skywalker as the teen hero trains to be a Dragon Rider while avenging his uncle's murder. However, "We can deliver something fresh to the eye." Expected delivery: 2005.

Read about the other projects in development at the link below.