Up & Comers

Author! Actor! In an exclusive event, USA WEEKEND brings together the young creator of "Eragon" and the new movie's star.

By Dennis McCafferty

One's a studious, polite, dark-haired young man in wire-rimmed glasses who comes from Montana and wrote a novel that turned into a sensation. The other is a hunky, blond-haired, rugby-playing Brit who can effortlessly charm a room of strangers. What brings them together is a remarkable work of fantasy: "Eragon," the best-selling book turned big-budget movie that opens this week. Geekish Christopher Paolini, 23, wrote "Eragon" when he was 15, and the engaging Brit, Edward Speleers, is the 18-year-old actor who plays the title role in the film. The two had not met until this day, when both flew to New York from their respective distant homes for this USA WEEKEND exclusive joint interview:

We can't believe this is the first time you two have met.

Paolini: We've always wanted to, but it never worked out. I really wanted to meet the guy playing the character whose head I've been inside of now for all of these years.

Speleers: I was a bit nervous about that. I woke up thinking, "I'm meeting the creator of the character I play." But it's been fun. We've been talking about sword fights and stuff like that.

Paolini: Oh, yeah. I fence, and I make my own swords.

In the book, there's some mind reading between "Eragon," the young hero, and a female elf. Is that a power that men and women should have?

Speleers: It would be too dangerous. I wouldn't want to know what girls are thinking about. As for them reading my mind? That's worse! I'm an English schoolboy!

Do you worry about growing up too quickly?

Paolini: I've always been around people who are older than me. [As a kid,] I was always several grades ahead, so I always had a disconnect with people my own age, which is fine. There's nothing wrong with being alone. If I'm not alone, I can't write.

Speaking of writing fantasy, somebody's going to die in the next and last "Harry Potter" book, by J.K. Rowling. Who should it be?

Speleers: In theory, it should be Voldemort. But part of me thinks Harry should die, following in his father's footsteps.

Paolini: You know what she could do? Have Voldemort die and then have Harry die at the same time. If you have death in the last book, it has to be important death.

It must be difficult to maintain your old bonds with friends while striking this degree of success.

Speleers: Not for me. In my case, there are letters and phone calls. I'm not an e-mail person. I'm shocking about it, actually. My brothers are angry at me because I never reply.

Paolini: I'm a phone person. I'm always in touch with my family when I'm on the road. In fact, they're expecting my call when I'm finished with this chat.