Eragonis a 2006 fantasy- adventure film loosely based on the novel of the same name by author Christopher Paolini . The cast includes Edward Speleers in the title role , Jeremy Irons , Garrett Hedlund , Sienna Guillory , Robert Carlyle , John Malkovich , Djimon Hounsou , Alun Armstrong , Joss Stone , and the voice of Rachel Weisz as Saphira the dragon .

The film was directed by Stefen Fangmeier , a first-time director, who had previously worked as a visual effects director onLemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate EventsandMaster and Commander: The Far Side of the World. The screenplay was written by Peter Buchman, who is best known forJurassic Park III. Principal photography took place at the Mafilm Fót Studios in Hungary, starting on August 1, 2005. Special visual effects and animation were by Weta Digital and Industrial Light & Magic .

Eragonwas released worldwide between December 13 and December 15, 2006 by 20th Century Fox . It was the 10th worst reviewed film of 2006 on Rotten Tomatoes ,and the 31st highest grossing film of 2006 in the US.A DVD and Blu-ray of the film was released March 20, 2007. It has first aired on Disney XD in the United States as a television broadcast on April 6 , 2009 . This film was the debut of soul singer Grammy -winner Joss Stone as an actress.