Variety reports that the Fox 2000 production of "Eragon" will begin shooting on August 1st, in preparation for a theatrical release date of June 16th, 2006. Based on the bestselling novel by Christopher Paolini, "Eragon" is a fantasy adventure story full of giant dragons, heroic deeds, and all sorts of fantastical goings-on.
More specifically, the plot deals with "a teen farmboy whose discovery of a dinosaur egg in his homeland of Alagaesia leads him on a predestined journey to become a Dragon Rider who will battle an evil king to determine the fate of his world."
FX guru Stefen Fangmeier ("Signs") will make his directorial debut, and he’ll be working from an adapted screenplay by Peter Buchman ("Jurassic Park 3"), Lawrence Konner ("Planet of the Apes"), and Mark Rosenthal ("Mighty Joe Young").
Newcomer Ed Speleers has snagged the lead role, but he’ll be capably flanked by pros like Djimon Hounsou ("The Island"), Jeremy Irons ("Dead Ringers"), and John Malkovich ("Con Air").
Fox hopes to build a trilogy out of Mr. Paolini’s as-yet-unfinished saga — but let’s give the author some time; he’s only 21 years old!
