ED SPELEERS (Eragon), 18, won the title role of ERAGON after Twentieth Century Fox and the filmmakers conducted a worldwide casting search, which rivaled the hunt for a cinematic "Harry Potter" and included hundreds of auditions and dozens of screen tests.

Speleers, who hails from South England, landed the part following a half-hour audition – and only days before the start of principal photography.

Previously, he had appeared in amateur school productions. Speleers has completed his schooling, and is looking forward to continuing his acting career.

JEREMY IRONS (Brom) began his career in England in theatre at the Bristol Old Vic and then debuted in London in Godspell as John the Baptist. His work in the West End and at Stratford Upon Avon culminated with his performance of "Richard II" for the Royal Shakespeare Company. He made his Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard’s "The Real Thing" opposite Glenn Close, for which he won both the Drama League Award and Tony® Award for Best Actor.

Irons has played many roles for television, most notably "Love for Lydia" and Paolini Hampton’s "Tales from Hollywood." His performance in "Brideshead Revisited" brought him worldwide acclaim and nominations for an Emmy® Award, the British Academy and he received a Golden Globe® Award for Best Actor. In 1996, he directed and co-starred with his wife, actress Sinead Cusack in "Mirad, A Boy from Bosnia," a Channel 4 Television film about refugees, written by Ad De Bont. In 1997 Irons won an Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over for: "The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century." In 2006 Irons co-starred with Helen Mirren in HBO’s Elizabeth I. Irons portrayal as the Earl of Leicester won him the Emmy for best supporting actor in a miniseries.

On the big screen he has starred in such films as Jerzy Skolimowski’s "Moonlighting," Harold Pinter’s "Betrayal," Volker Schlondorff’s "Swann in Love" and "The Mission" with Robert De Niro. Irons played opposite Meryl Streep in "The French Lieutenant’s Woman," for which he received the Variety Club Award for Best Actor and a BAFTA nomination, and opposite his son Sam in Roald Dahl’s "Danny, Champion of the World." His performance in David Cronenberg’s "Dead Ringers" brought him a Best Actor Award from the New York Film Critics Circle and a Canadian Genie. Irons starred again with Glenn Close in the film based on the re-trial of Claus von Bulow, "Reversal of Fortune." For this performance, Irons received the 1990 Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

Irons went on to work in such films as Steven Soderbergh’s "Kafka," David Cronenberg’s "M. Butterfly" and Bille August’s "The House of the Spirits," with Streep and Close again. In 1994, Irons created the voice of Scar for Disney’s "The Lion King." He followed that with the action film "Die Hard with a Vengeance" also starring Bruce Willis, and Bernardo Bertolucci’s "Stealing Beauty," also starring Liv Tyler.

Irons more recent films include Wayne Wang’s "Chinese Box," and "The Man in the Iron Mask," in which he starred with Gerard Depardieu, Leonardo DiCaprio, and John Malkovich. He played Humbert Humbert in Adrian Lyne’s controversial film "Lolita" and starred in "Longitude," an A&E Granada film that premiered on BBC. Irons had four films in 2001, including "And Now…Ladies and Gentleman," directed by Claude Lelouch, "The Time Machine," based on the H.G. Wells novel, "Callas Forever," directed by Franco Zeffirelli, and "Last Call," a Showtime Original Picture directed by Henry Bromell, also starring Neve Campbell.

He also starred in István Szabó’s "Being Julia" with Annette Bening. In late 2004 Irons played Antonio, in Michael Radford’s production of Shakespeare’s "Merchant of Venice," also starring Al Pacino. In spring 2005 Ridley Scott’s "Kingdom of Heaven" was released, in which Irons starred opposite Orlando Bloom. In Lasse Hallström’s "Casanova," released Christmas 2005, Irons starred opposite Heath Ledger. Irons recently completed the upcoming feature "Inland Empire," directed by David Lynch.

In 2003 Irons returned to his roots in theatre and debuted in the New York City Opera production of Stephen Sondheim’s "A Little Night Music" in the role of Frederik, directed by Scott Ellis. Irons played King Arthur in the Hollywood Bowl’s summer presentation of "Camelot," part of the Hollywood Bowl’s weekend spectacular series. In February 2006 Irons starred as Henrik in "Embers," a play by Paolini Hampton, directed by Michael Blakemore.

SIENNA GUILLORY (Arya) is best known to American audiences for her work in the acclaimed miniseries "Helen of Troy," in which she played the title role. She has starred in the film "Resident Evil: Apocalyspe," "The Time Machine," and a featured role in "Love, Actually."

After appearing on the British miniseries "The Buccanneers," and several independent films, Guillory got her big break when she won the starring role in the BBC adaptation of Kingsley Amis' "Take a Girl Like You." Guillory has since starred on London's West End in Neil La Bute's "The Shape of Things" and continued to work with independent U.K-based filmmakers on productions such as "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang," "Late Night Shopping," "The Principles of Lust" and "Silence Becomes You."

She recently starred opposite Academy Award nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno in the Spanish independent film "Hearts of the Earth."

ROBERT CARLYLE (Durza) was born in Glasgow, Scotland and enrolled in acting classes at the Glasgow Arts Centre after reading Arthur Miller’s "The Crucible."

Following his movie debut as Big Woodsy in "Silent Scream" (1990), Carlyle appeared in several films, but it was his performance in the title role of the TV series "Hamish Macbeth" (1995) that brought him to the attention of British audiences. And it was the role of Begbie in "Trainspotting" (1996) that introduced him to American audiences. This was followed by his BAFTA-winning role of Gaz in "The Full Monty" (1997).

After playing Plunkett in "Plunkett & Macleane" and Col. Ives in "Ravenous" (both 1999), he played the villain, Renard, in the James Bond adventure "The World Is Not Enough" (1999), followed by the roles of Malachy in "Angela’s Ashes" (1999) and Daffy in "The Beach" (2000).

More recently, he has been seen in "There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble" (2000), "To End All Wars," "The 51st State" (both 2001), "Once Upon a Time in the Midlands," "Black and White" (both 2002), "Dead Fish" (2004), "Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School" and "The Mighty Celt" (both 2005).

His recent TV appearances have been the title role in "Hitler: The Rise of Evil" (2003) and King James 1 in "Gunpowder, Treason and Plot" (2004). He portrayed the role of Sergei Karpovich in the TV miniseries "Human Trafficking" (2005).

Carlyle founded the Raindog theatre company in 1991, together with four other actors, and is a partner in the British film production company 4 Ways. He was awarded an OBE in the 1999 New Year’s Honours List.

DJIMON HOUNSOU (Ajihad) was born in Benin, Africa. At age 13, he moved to Paris, where he was discovered by French fashion designer Thierry Mugler and subsequently graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model.

After making his movie debut in "Without You I’m Nothing" (1990), Hounsou appeared in "Unlawful Entry" (1992), "Stargate" (1994) and "The Small Hours" (1997) before playing the role of Cinque in "Amistad" (1997), a performance that brought him to the attention of international audiences. He went on to appear in "Ill Gotten Gains" (1997) and "Deep Rising" (1998).

He then played the role of Juba in Ridley Scott’s "Gladiator" (2000) before appearing in "Passage du Milieu" (2000), "The Tag" (2001), "Le Boulet" and "The Four Feathers" (both 2002). His performance as Mateo in "In America" (2002) brought him an Academy Award nomination.

He went on to play leading roles in "Heroes" (2001), "Biker Boys," "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" (both 2003), "Blueberry" (2004), "Constantine," "Beauty Shop" and "The Island" (all 2005). He has a starring role opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the drama "Blood Diamond," directed by Edward Zwick.

GARRETT HEDLUND (Murtagh) was born in Roseau, Minnesota, and spent his early years growing up on a farm. When his family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, he began taking private acting lessons. After graduating high school, Hedlund moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

One month later he landed the role of Achilles’ cousin Patroclus in the movie "Troy" (2004) opposite Brad Pitt. His next feature was "Friday Night Lights" (2004) in which Hedlund played a high school football player.

He then landed a starring role opposite Mark Wahlberg in "Four Brothers" (2005), playing one of four brothers whose mother is murdered.

Academy Award-winning actress RACHEL WEISZ (voice of Saphira) is known for portraying women of incredible spirit and intelligence and continues to seek out challenging projects and roles both on screen and on stage.

Weisz received overwhelming critical praise and awards from Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globe and ultimately an Oscar for her performance in "The Constant Gardener," directed by Fernando Meirelles ("City of God") and based on the best-selling John le Carré novel.

Weisz currently stars in Darren Aronofsky's much-anticipated sci-fi/romantic fantasy adventure, "The Fountain," opposite Hugh Jackman.

She recently wrapped production on "My Blueberry Nights" directed by Wong Kar Wei. The romantic comedy also stars Jude Law, Norah Jones and Natalie Portman and is the story of a young woman (Jones) who travels across America to find the true meaning of love while encountering offbeat characters along the way.

Weisz is currently shooting Working Title's comedy "Definitely, Maybe," written and directed by Adam Brooks. Weisz will begin filming the dramedy "Smart People," written by Mark Poirier, this fall starring opposite Dennis Quaid and Thomas Haden Church. Noam Murro, 2005 DGA Director of the Year, will make his feature directorial debut. Later in the year Weisz is also set to star in the international con man adventure "The Brothers Bloom," written and directed by Rian Johnson

Past film credits include Francis Lawrence's hit thriller Constantine, Gary Fleder's "Runaway Jury"; James Foley's "Confidence"; and Chris and Paul Weitz' "About a Boy." She is known to audiences worldwide for her lead role opposite Brendan Fraser in Stephen Sommers' blockbuster movies "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns." Weisz also starred in Jean-Jacques Annaud's "Enemy at the Gates"; Michael Winterbottom's "I Want You"; David Leland's "The Land Girls"; Beeban Kidron's "Swept from the Sea"; and Bernardo Bertolucci's "Stealing Beauty."

Weisz received critical acclaim for Focus Features "The Shape of Things" which also marked her first venture into producing. She had previously starred in writer/director Neil LaBute's staging of his original play of the same name, in both London and New York City.

Her performance in Sean Mathias' U.K. staging of "Noel Coward's Design for Living" garnered her the London Drama Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Newcomer. She also starred in the West End production of "Suddenly Last Summer", directed by Mathias. Weisz began her career as a student at Cambridge University where she formed the Talking Tongues Theatre Group, which performed numerous experimental pieces and won the prestigious Guardian Award at the Edinburgh Festival.

JOHN MALKOVICH (King Galbatorix) joined Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre in 1976 and made his New York stage debut seven years later in "True West," a performance that won him an Obie®. In 1984 he appeared with Dustin Hoffman in the Broadway revival of "Death of a Salesman," which earned him an Emmy when it was made into a TV movie the following year.

His movie debut was as the blind lodger in "Places in the Heart" (1984), a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Next came "The Killing Fields" (1984) and "The Glass Menagerie" (1987). After playing Vicomte de Valmont in the costume drama "Dangerous Liaisons" (1988), he was cast as the psychotic political assassin in Clint Eastwood’s film "In the Line of Fire" (1993), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award and the Golden Globe.

A prolific and versatile actor, Malkovich has appeared in a wide variety of roles in films such as "Mulholland Falls" (1996), "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1998), "Being John Malkovich" (1999), "Shadow of the Vampire" (2000), "Hotel" (2001), "Ripley’s Game," The Dancer Upstairs," "Hideous Man" (2002), "Johnny English" (2003), "The Libertine" (2004) and "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy" (2005). Upcoming pictures include "The Great Buck Howard," "The Mutant Chronicles," "Gardens of the Night," and "Beowulf," the latter directed by Robert Zemeckis.

His most notable television appearances have been in "Heart of Darkness" (1994), "RKO 281" (1999), "Les Miserables" (2000) and "Napoleon" (2002).

In addition to his acting career, he wrote and directed "Hideous Man" (2002), directed and produced "The Dancer Upstairs" (2002) and produced "Ghost World" (2000), "The Loner" (2001), "Kill The Poor" (2003), "Found in the Street" (2004), "The Libertine" (2004), and he starred in and produced "Art School Confidential" (2006). He also produced "Some Assembly Required" (2004) for television.