 A film adaptation of Eragon was released in the United States on December 15 , 2006 . Plans to create the film were first announced in February 2004 , when 20th Century Fox purchased the rights to Eragon . The film was directed by first @-@ timer Stefen Fangmeier , and written by Peter Buchman . Edward <unk> was selected for the role of Eragon . Over the following months , Jeremy Irons , John Malkovich , Chris Egan and Djimon Hounsou were all confirmed as joining the cast . Principal photography for the film took place in Hungary and Slovakia . 
