New Stills from ‘Book of Eli’

Even when the movie is trivial and thin, the presence of Denzel Washington can elicit a certain amount of weight.   ‘Book of Eli’ seems like your typical, run-of-the-mill, post-apocalyptic actioner.   To read the synopsis calls to mind any number of straight-to-DVD movies that are more at home on the Sci-Fi Channel on a Saturday night than movie theaters.

Washington plays a lone warrior who must travel across the desolate wasteland of the world all the while protecting a book that could hold the key to all humanity.   Gary Oldman plays the malevolent ruler of a small town who attempts to get the book from Eli.

USA Today has put up some new pics for ‘Book of Eli’ along with some explanation on some of the film’s shooting.

Check ’em out:

The Earth faces another calamity in the post-apocalyptic thriller ‘The Book of Eli,’ starring Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman.   Albert Hughes, who co-directs with brother Allen, says ‘Eli’ marks the end of a search “for something we both could feel passionate about.”   At first, Albert says, the script “seemed a little too spiritual or something. … But then I slept on it, and the next morning I couldn’t get the story out of my head.   That’s when you know you should do the movie.”

USA Today’s Scott Bowles takes a look at the battered world of ‘Eli.’   In this frame, says Allen, Eli comes upon a fork in the road.   “Eli’s iPod has run out of juice and to the right is the road that leads into Carnegie’s (Oldman) town.   Eli makes the decision to go in to town, power up his iPod and refill his canteen.”

Washington plays Eli, a lone man who fights his way across a desolate America to protect a book that may hold the key to mankind’s survival.   “I initially wasn’t all that interested in the part,” Washington says.   “But my son thought I should do it.   And he talked me into doing ‘Training Day’ and ‘American Gangster,’ and that worked out pretty well.   So I decided to listent to him again.”

Washington shed nearly 60 pounds for the role.   “I came out of the editing room for ‘The Great Debaters’ about 30 pounds heavier than I went in,” he says.   “I figured I’d get back into the gym, but I tore my knee.   So I figured I’d play a fat guy in ‘The Taking of Pelham 123.’   But then I decided I had to lose that weight.   Not only for my health, but it just didn’t make sense to play a fat guy wandering the earth after it has nearly been wiped out.”

Says Allen: “This is the scene where Eli has come into the Orpheum Theatre, which has been converted into a post-apocalyptic bar.   He’s come into fill his canteen with water, but ends up being confronted by some locals, who block his path as he tries to exit.   This is the moment where the noble man (Eli) decides he has to kill some folks.”

‘Eli’ follows on the heels of movies such as ‘Terminator Salvation,’ ‘Knowing,’ and ‘The Happening’ in depicting the end of the world.   “This is the first time in recent history that I can remember where it feels like America is, at its core, vulnerable,” says Allen Hughes.   “We’re mortal.   After 9/11, the reaction showed how thin that line is between order and chaos.   That’s why these themes of redemption and salvation are so powerful now.”

Gary Oldman as Carnegie, a town leader interested in acquiring Eli’s book.   Says Allen: He is the President/Mayor/Spiritual Leader, etc., etc. and he runs the town.   His office is the main power hub.”

Oldman says it was an adjustment working for sibling director. “They fight like brothers do.   They’ll bicker over a scene.   It’s quite fun to watch.   And it’s over very quickly, they never disagree for long.   then it’s like working for one director, because one of them deals with the actors, the other the technical details.   But you can see how they probably fought as little kids.”

‘Book of Eli’ comes out on January15th, 2010.

Source: USA Today