Video:Book of Eli-Denzel Washington, Malcolm McDowell Interviews
with Rebecca MurrayDenzel Washington stars as a solitary man who's charged with carrying what he believes is man's only hope in a post-apocalyptic world in 'The Book of Eli.' Malcolm McDowell plays a fellow survivor who plays an important role in Eli's life.
Transcript:Book of Eli-Denzel Washington, Malcolm McDowell Interviews
Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the LA Premiere of Warner Bros Pictures' The Book of Eli.
Denzel Washington – 'Eli' in The Book of Eli
I have to know what it was like squaring off against Gary Oldman, because you two are magic on screen.
Denzel Washington: "Gary Oldman is one of the greats. You know, a few films I've done like Crimson Tide working with Gene Hackman or… There's very few films I've done where it was like, 'Wow.' Even Dakota Fanning was a great actress, and Angelina Jolie, but Gary Oldman is one of the best. And we really do square off. We literally go to battle."
What did you do as a producer?
Denzel Washington: "The producing aspect had more to do with the development of the script, so once we got the script where we wanted it, I wasn't telling the directors what to do. I just worried about my part. And then in post-production, I took a couple looks at the film and made some notes about editing and things like that. But, that's all. It's very much their film, not mine."
Is this one of the toughest roles you've played?
Denzel Washington: "No, the tough roles are the ones that you don't want to be in. This was easy. That was an easy one. I had a lot of fun and I was really amazed at the preparation and the dedication that the Hughes brothers had."
Malcolm McDowell – 'Lombardi' in The Book of Eli
So you haven't seen it yet?
Malcolm McDowell: "No."
They haven't shown it to you?
Malcolm McDowell: "No."
Do you normally watch the movies you're in?
Malcolm McDowell: "No."
Ever?
Malcolm McDowell: "Occasionally at a premiere. This will be it. I'll watch it and that'll be it."
What was the appeal of this? You play a very specific (without giving away any spoilers), very wonderful character.
Malcolm McDowell: "Yeah, I think he is. He's interesting. It comes in and it's really the switch. It was a very important role for them to cast. I know they were looking all over for the right person. Anyway, I was very happy to do it because I'm a great admirer of Denzel's. And Gary Oldman is brilliant, an old mate – I love the man. A great actor. It also had a couple of other English actors in it: Michael Gambon and Frances de la Tour, who I love. She's a great actress, as is Michael. Although I didn't get to work with any of them. They were practically packing up and leaving when I got there. It was like it was a different movie."
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