Details on ‘The Book of Eli’ Comic-Con Panel
The San Diego Comic-Con panel for The Book of Eli took place on Friday and was easily one of the funniest panels of the day. Here’s what it delivered.
In attendance were the director brothers Albert and Allen Hughes and stars Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis.
Two major pieces of footage were screened.
The first was a motion-comic titled Billy. The comic was written specifically as a back-story for Gary Oldman’s character, Carnegie. It follows a young Carnegie growing up in an abusive home of drunken parents. After a severe beating one night Carnegie resorts to burning his parents alive in their house.
The second piece of footage was the film’s trailer, which has since been releaesd online. You can watch it here.
Prior to the Comic-Con director Albert Hughes was quoted as saying he didn’t like The Book of Eli being referred to as a western. He reiterated the same sentiment the moment the film was referred to as a “post apocalyptic western”.
“I don’t like the word. We have a great story aside from it being post apocalyptic,” he said.
Gary Oldman had other ideas, saying: “It has echos of a western.”
Things we learned:
- the dull, stark and barren landscapes in the film were drawn from three books written in the 80’s taking a scientific approach to what the environment would be like in a post apocalyptic world
- Washington’s involvement was cited as the reason why the film was able to be made
- Washington stated that the physical work on the film was a real adventure for him and that he took great pleasure from training with “brilliant” martial artists. He included Dan Inosanto in that mix (aka the guy who has championed Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do since Lee’s death).
- the Hughes brothers were drawn to how unique the story of the film was – it reminded them a little of what they loved about Planet of the Apes
- the film takes place 30 yeas in the future
- Gary Oldman and Denzel Washington both had a lot of fun on the set, often doing scenes in different accents. Washington referred to their chemistry as “Like good sex!”
The official movie poster has yet to be released but one was snapped hanging at the San Diego Comic-Con. Images of it are in the gallery here.
Prior to the event a separate poster designed specifically for the San Diego Comic-Con was released. The poster features artwork from the film’s concept artist and storyboarder Chris Weston. Check it out:
The Book of Eli - San Diego Comic-Con 2009 poster
The quote of the panel came from Oldman when referring to his casting in villainous roles:
“I don’t know how it happened with the villain thing. I mean look at the size of me, I look like a bald chicken.”
Watch video from the event now:
The Book of Eli opens in theaters:
UK & USA – January 15, 2010
Australia – February 18, 2010
Source(s): Collider / Bleeding Cool / Image via Daemons Movies / IGN /
