Denzel Washington to star in Book of Eli

[GreenScar]

Update July 23

Teaser Trailer is up

And I thought we'd seen everything today! Apple has just debuted the first teaser trailer for The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman. This actually looks a lot better than I was expecting. For some odd reason, I had my doubts about this, but this teaser trailer proves that I was wrong - this looks awesome. Definitely excited for the return of the grungy, gritty post-apocalyptic movie! I mean, they've got guys fighting with chainsaws, that is just badass. Anyway, I've said enough, I think a few of you might be very impressed by this as well. The Hughes Brothers have really stepped up their game over the last 9 years.

The Book of Eli is directed by Detroit-born brothers Allen and Albert Hughes, who previously brought us Dead Presidents, American Pimp, and From Hell, but haven't made anything since 2001. The screenplay was written by newcomer Gary Whitta, who is also attached to write the Akira live-action remake and The Defenders coming up. Warner Brothers will be bringing The Book of Eli to theaters everywhere starting on January 15th early next year. We hope it's as good as the trailer looks! What is your first impression?

Watch it here in HD

Dark skies, torrential winds blowing dirt and sand everywhere (and I mean everywhere), visibility is down to almost nil, throw in a half blown up house and a Gatling gun on the back of a truck. Is this the end of the world?

Nope, just the set of Warner Bros.' BOOK OF ELI starring Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman in Albuquerque, New Mexico in April!

Directed by brothers Albert and Allen Hughes, Book of Eli which also stars Ray Stevenson, Mila Kunis and Michael Gambon tells the story of a lone warrior (Washington) who must fight to bring society the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption. Oldman has been set to portray Carnegie, the despot of a small makeshift town who's determined to take possession of the book Eli's guarding with Stevenson as his thug. The only guide on Eli's journey is Solara (Kunis), Carnegie's estranged step-daughter, who only Eli can see and hear...wait, that's not right. In any case, there's an important book, samurai swords and at least one Gatling gun, what more could you ask for?

IESB along with a small group of journalists were invited to visit the set of the film back in April and unbeknownst to us at the time, a major sandstorm was invited as well. Although we dealt with sand, wind, freezing temperatures and press tents blowing away, we still had a pretty good day.

We spoke at length with Albert and Allen Hughes, Gary Oldman, Ray Stevenson and Mila Kunis on set before our visit was ended prematurely and production was shut down due to the incessant sandstorm. Luckily, Denzel was able to catch up with us not more than a week later via conference call from the set.

While they were shooting, we saw a scene shot at one of the last houses standing in this post-apocalyptic world, well standing for now, not so much after Carnegie and his men have their way with it. A key to this action/gun fight sequence is the Hughes' use of the “one-continuous take” method as the audience follows bullets and explosives in and around their targets as Eli and Solara are hiding inside with a few surprising friends.

BOOK OF ELI opens in theaters January 15, 2010.