Eragon is Being Shot in Hungary

The local media has already reported that a film is being made of  Christopher Paolini’s book Eragon.

99% of the dragon story is being shot in Hungary, the shooting started on August 1 near Budakeszi. Geoffrey Freeman, the press officer of the production told  filmhu about the latest developments.

Eragon, Christopher Paolini’s book, which was meant to be a trilogy, entered the world of science fiction a few years ago. The book has so far been published in 37 countries and sold in more than two million copies. The story, which is being made into a movie by by 20th Century Fox with a 40 million dollar budget resembles the world of The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

Malkovich, Irons and Carlyle are coming

Eragon is personified by Edward Speleer, the 17-year-old student has no acting experience apart from school performances.  In addition to the unknown Speleer several famous actors are taking part in Eragon, including John Malkovich, Jeremy Irons and Djimon Hounsou (Blueberry, Gladiator).

Eragon’s world resembles Middle Earth

„Eragon’s shooting started on August 1 near Budakeszi. The work will continue here until the end of next week,” said Geoffrey Freeman, the press officer of the film for Mid Atlantic Films. „The protagonist, Edward Speleer is already here and will stay until the end of October.  John Malkovich will only spend two days here, while Robert Carlyle and Jeremy Irons will remain a little longer in Hungary.”

Robert Carlyle’s name has not been mentioned before the press concerning the film. The lead actor of xxx and  Trainspotting now plays Durza, the main enemy of Eragon in the original trilogy.

The director of the film is Stefen Fangmeier, who was the art director of A-list Hollywood movies like Terminator 2, Hook, Jurassic Park or Lemony Snicket. Fangmeier co-directed films like Galaxy Quest, but Eragon will be his directorial debut. 

In addition to the actors there are about 600-700 local extras participating in the film. Tamás Kertész, athe head of Hungarian casting told filmhu: „We are selecting about 300-300 people for the Budapest and the countryside shooting.” 

„99% of Eragon is shot in Hungary, with the exception of a few scenes that take place in Slovakia,” said Geoffrey Freeman. „These are the ones where the heroes are wandering in the desert on their way to the mountain. These pictures will link Eragon’s journey from home to the dragon’s cave, which were shot in Hungary.”

The landscape will be „reorganized” by December

Dragon cave on Ság hill

According to press reports, the landscape that appealed to filmmakers is a natural preserve, so they had to obtain permits from Őrség National Park and the Office for Cultural Heritage Protection. The bulk of the shooting will finish by the end of October, while postproduction by November. The landscape will be restored by early December.

According to press reports, the movie adaptation of Paolini’s fantasy has a budget of 39.5 million dollars and will involve subcontractors. If the filmmakers spend the entire sum here, based on the Film Law they may receive a reimbursement of 20% of the sum, about 1.6 million dollars.