We haven’t really stayed up on “The Book of Eli” by the Hughes Brothers, Allen and Albert (“Menace II Society,” and “Dead Presidents”), for whatever reason aside from its initial announcement starring Denzel Washington, and the fact that Gary Oldman had joined the cast (it could because it’s a post apocalyptic film, potentially not in our wheel house, and the Hughes Brothers haven’t made a good film in a while — or any film for that matter. Please do not go to bat for “From Hell.”).
We digress. Of interest to us and music fans is the fact that Tom Waits is part of the cast. According to Anti, who do the legwork of describing the plot and what the gravely-voiced singer’s role is so we don’t have to:
“Currently, Tom Waits is in the midst of filming The Book of Eli, directed by Albert and Allen Hughes. Eli is a post-apocalyptic Western, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving mankind. The film stars Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman with Tom Waits in a small role as “Engineer.”
This film marks the second time Waits has appeared next to Gary Oldman in a film, having played the wackjob Renfeld to Oldman’s Count Dracula in Francis Ford Coppola mess of a film, “Bramstoker’s Dracula” (casting Keanu and Winona was the kiss of death, sorry Francis).
Anywhoo, Tom Waits in yet another film. Fun, right? We’ll see him next in a fairly sizable role, playing the Devil in Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” or well that is, if it ever comes out… “The Book of Eli” also features Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson and Jennifer Beals and hits theaters on January 15th 2010. Thanks to Alex for the tip.
That pic of Denzel is a little badass, but I can’t help but think, “The Postman 2″…please God, no!