Video:The Book of Eli - Hughes Brothers Interview

Transcript:The Book of Eli - Hughes Brothers Interview

Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the LA Premiere of Warner Bros Pictures' The Book of Eli.

The Book of Eli Directors Allen and Albert Hughes

So are we allowed to say what the book is when we talk about this movie?

Allen Hughes: "For sure. Absolutely."

Really? That's not giving away too much?

Allen Hughes: "No."

Albert Hughes: "It was at first and then we said, 'F-ck it.'"

It's the internet, you're allowed to cuss. What attracted you to this? You guys take so much time between your projects, what brought you back for this?

Allen Hughes: "I think, number one, it was a great story. It was a classic story. It was a throwback to when movies you had to go see them in the cinema because it's a cinematic experience. And it had great characters so it would attract great talent. And we have a couple great twists at the end."

I know. I've seen it and I'd like to talk about it – but we can't talk about it.

Allen Hughes: "If we beat Avatar, then you can talk about it."

Pitting Gary Oldman versus Denzel Washington, that is an amazing pairing. How did you know it would work like it did?

Allen Hughes: "I think when Denzel was developing the script with us he kept going, 'You know Gary Oldman might do it like this, he might do it like that.' And we're like, 'Why don't we hire Gary Oldman?' And it's rare you get to see Denzel go toe-to-toe with…"

Albert Hughes: "When you have two great actors like that that haven't been together in a movie, you go, 'Okay, that's going to be sparks. That's going to be good sparks.' They're like two good dance partners that know each other's movement and compliment each other well."

That right there is worth the price of a ticket.

Allen Hughes: "Who doesn't want to see Denzel and Gary Oldman get down?"

The Book of Eli Composer Atticus Ross

Atticus Ross: "We took a bit of time to do it, because we've worked with them before. They have this long process with the music where you work upfront, before there's any shooting. This music that you're listening to now is written before they shot anything, the main theme. And, you know, then they give it out to all the actors. So it's kind of like an involved bit of fun. I mean they're really great. I know that probably every composer as he comes out has to say, 'Oh, the director was great,' but actually in this case it's true."

This theme, how tough was that to do when you haven't even seen anything?

Atticus Ross: "Well, it's based off of a lot of conversation. They did this look book, which was brilliant. It started the whole thing off with how it was going to look, how it was going to sound. It was a very clear idea of how it was going to be, in terms not specifically of musically, but in terms of what a jump-up point for myself."

Was that a tough genre to write for?

Atticus Ross: "It was a tough job in terms of I spent a lot of time doing it and things, but it was a fun job to do. You know what I mean? I've had jobs that were tough because they're a nightmare. And then there are jobs that are tough that are fun, and this would be that second one."

More on The Book of Eli:

The Book of Eli Photos

The Book of Eli Interviews, Poster, Credits, Trailer and Clips

More on Denzel Washington