THE BOOK OF ELI Comic Con 2009 Panel

The Comic Con 2009 panel for THE BOOK OF ELI was definitely one of the most entertaining ones so far. In fact pretty much all of Warner Bros panels were great, but this one in particular definitely helped set the mood.

On the panel were directors Albert & Allen Hughes, Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman, and Denzel Washington.

At the panel, they first started by showing a clip of an online motion graphic novel called Billy, which introduced Gary Oldman’s character Billy Carnegie.

Then it was time for the trailer, which looked pretty damn awesome. Denzel Washington is kicking some ass.

The directors got interested into the project because of how uniquely different it was. It reminded them a little bit of the original Planet of Apes, it’s a journey but it also has something to say.

Gary Oldman responded to the script and the part. Then he met the directors and he also mentioned: “I’m a fan of Denzel”

To which Denzel Washington answered: “Me too.” Ha! But really, Denzel Washington liked the directors’ work and was also excited to get the chance to work with Gary Oldman.

As for Mia she looked at the cast and directors and that was it.

The Book of Eli takes place 30 years in the future. There has been a major war and not many people are left behind. Eli (Denzel Washington) is on a mission and it doesn’t matter what and who gets in his way, he will fight them off. The problem is, Carnegie (Gary Oldman) wants something he has very badly, a very important old book. He wants it because it’s a means to absolute rule and power and with this book he can guide, lead, control, and manipulate, but Eli doesn’t want to give it up that easily.

Gary Oldman and Denzel Washington talked about how much fun they had on the set. They explained how sometimes they would do the scenes like English gentleman, and sometimes with other accents.

In fact, after 2 days Denzel Washington realized that he was playing the wrong part, and that Gary Oldman had the right part, because his character was pretty bad ass.

When asked what the chemistry is like between the two, Denzel Washington answered: “Like good sex!”

Gary Oldamn on why he always plays the villain: “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.”

But the big news from the panel wasn’t about The Book of Eli, but the next Batman film, which Gary Oldman revealed would start shooting next year, with the release date at least two years away.

The Book of Eli will be released on January 15, 2010.

Check out more pictures from the The Book of Eli Comic Con 2009 panel below.