Hollywood Byte #47: Eragon

Although working with an imaginary dragon was challenging, Speleers believes it pays off on the big screen.

"There's an emotional scene between Saphira and Eragon and it was pretty tough to film," said Speleers. "It could end up being one of the most rewarding in the movie. It was highly emotional and I had to do that with really nothing there."

Speleers read the Eragon book by pure chance a few years ago and he went back to re-read when he got the role. He said it was pretty bizarre when he went back to read it and visualized himself as the lead.

"I was familiar with the book before I got this role," said Speleers. "You can't just read a book and step into character. You'd have to be a bloody good actor to be able to do that. But certainly, it assisted me."

He understands the legions of fans who made the first two books of The Inheritance Trilogy best-sellers have high hopes for this film.

"It's a privilege to play a role that has such a large following," said Speleers. "I just hope that people who loved the book loved the movie. We put a lot of time and effort into it. And I think it is such a good representation of the book. For me it was such a wonderful experience."

When asked what videogame fans would enjoy about the film, Speleers said the visual effects and action sequences of the film should appeal to this audience, but he thinks the movie, in general, the story-telling and everything about it, should appeal to them.

Since Eragon is the first of three books, Speleers is game to reprise his role a second time.