ABOUT THE CAST

For the filmmakers, the stakes couldn't have been higher in casting their young Dragon Rider, Eragon. Newcomer Ed Speleers emerged from the months-long, worldwide casting search. "Ed came in [to the casting session], and we just looked at each other and said, ‘That's Eragon, that's the guy from the book,'" says director Stefen Fangmeier: "I got a strong sense of Ed's sparkle, of his life. It's the kind of thing where you just know he's destined to become a movie star."

Speleers won the role as he was trying to learn his lines for a school production of "Hamlet." He couldn't help but be awed by this, his professional acting debut. "During production in Slovakia, we were lifted by helicopter to the top of a large mountain surrounded by incredible scenery," he remembers. "I stood at the edge of this mountain, thinking, ‘What's going on here? I'm supposed to be at school taking my exams, and I'm here having the best time of my life.' If I continue to make movies – which I would love to do – I don't think I will ever get that same, overwhelming feeling."

The young actor easily grew into the role. Indeed, Speleers sees parallels between his experiences making ERAGON and his on-screen character's journey. "I was on a new adventure, just like Eragon was," he explains. "I had a well-structured life, doing regular things, and then I was suddenly thrown into this incredible world, starring in a movie. It's been a great time for me to find myself (as Eragon does in the story), meet new people, and have new experiences."

A highlight of Speleers' experiences on ERAGON was working opposite Jeremy Irons, who portrays Eragon's mentor, Brom. The actors' off-screen relationship mirrored what was happening on camera. "Jeremy always provided words of advice, and always nurtured me," Speleers recalls. "He was doing so out of the kindness of his heart, but at the same time so much of Brom was in Jeremy."

Irons says he was ready to tackle a big action-adventure picture. "ERAGON reaches an audience that I haven't reached in a while," he says. "Equally important, Brom appealed to me; he has a wryness and fierceness, but at the same time he's a good man."

To prepare for the role, Irons read Eragon, and trained in the method of swordplay Paolini describes in his book. "It's a specific style of fighting," Irons notes. "It's like Eastern swordplay, and is more esoteric than English medieval styles. I practiced almost every day to build the wrist strength necessary to realistically play the fighting scenes." The many riding scenes were less of a challenge to Irons, an experienced horseman.

Brom's and Eragon's fates are closely tied to the evil King Galbatorix, played by Oscar-nominee John Malkovich. Galbatorix is a central character in the film, one whose presence and menace are felt even when he's offscreen.

Although Malkovich shares no scenes with Ed Speleers, the young actor and his growing following made a distinct impression on him. "Before leaving for Budapest, a friend of mine told me that he had a bunch of kids who wanted Ed's autograph," he recounts. "I hadn't experienced anything like that since working with Leonardo DiCaprio [in "The Man in the Iron Mask"].

The chief "aide" to Malkovich's Galbatorix is Durza, a sorcerer possessed with demonic spirits. Durza is tall, handsome and pale, with red hair and maroon eyes. He is lordly in manner, but his refinement masks something unnatural.

BAFTA Award-winner Robert Carlyle, as Durza, made a strong impression on Ed Speleers. "Our first meeting was intense," says Speleers. "Robert wore a long wig, contact lenses and full-flowing outfit. I didn't need to get into character to react opposite Robert as Durza," laughs Speleers. "He was Durza!"

"Robert came in very much wanting to do ERAGON, and his approach to Durza was to not make the character obvious and over-the-top in his villainy," says Wyck Godfrey. "Durza has an agenda and with his red eyes and hair, and pale skin, there are things visually apparent about the character; you don't need to work hard to force him to be evil."

Early in the story, Durza uses his formidable powers to try and stop the female warrior Arya, who's on a mission to find the next Dragon Rider. "Arya has been entrusted with a dragon egg stolen from Galbatorix, carrying it across Alagaësia looking for its owner," says Sienna Guillory, who portrays Arya. "Her warrior side uses a Zen-like fighting style. Because she's an elf, she understands nature – the trees, light and wind – and is capable of seeing danger before it happens.

"It's great to play a female action role that's not all ‘hero' and that's not rough and unfeminine," she continues. "I love horses and this was a film where I got to ride a horse and fight with a sword – brilliant!"

Guillory makes special note of the work of costume designer Kym Barrett, whom the actress says "brings a wonderful modernity and edge" to the picture. "Kym's work reflects the timelessness of the film," Guillory elaborates. "It's not about being medieval or going back to another period in the past. Kym's designs for Arya are about ecology and the environment. Arya is a kind of eco-warrior, who is in tune with nature. Everything she wears look and feels worn and soft. Kym really works amazingly well with movement."

Arya and Eragon take a stand against Galbatorix, Durza, and their minions in the final battle of Farthen Dûr. This stronghold of the rebel Varden forces is led by Ajihad, played by Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou. "I was attracted to ERAGON because it is an enormous adventure," the actor explains. "Everything about it is bigger than life."

Also taking a stand at Farthen Dûr is Murtagh, played by Garrett Hedlund, one of the few Americans in the cast. Like several of his fellow castmates, Hedlund underwent intensive physical training, including boxing and working with a long bow. But Hedlund notes that it was what's underneath the character's skin that intrigued him. "There's something about Murtagh that lies under the surface," he explains. "Murtagh has a secret and a past he's not necessarily proud of."