Poster from "The Book of Eli"
A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to work on this film on location outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The trailer and poster were released recently for Comic-Con ’09, so I’m happy to release a little of my own experience to you.
“The Book of Eli” stars Denzel Washington as Eli, a solitary man on a mission, traveling across a post-apocalyptic country. Basically, some idiots in charge pushed their atomic buttons, and the film picks up some 30 years later in a world filled with survivors and bandits … and Eli.
Denzel, who also produces the film, is joined by the best: Gary Oldman is his nemesis, Ray Stevenson and Joe Pingue as Oldman’s henchmen, Mila Kunis, who becomes Denzel’s protégé, and Jennifer Beals, too.
Eli was directed in tandem by the Hughes brothers. Their style blew us all away in 1993’s “Menace to Society” and it makes perfect movie sense for them now to have created a world in which society has finally been completely destroyed.
From the start, the Hughes brothers turned to legendary Stunt Coordinator and Fight Coordinator Jeff Imada to do what he does better than anyone else out there: design a lethal hand-to-hand combat style exclusively for this film’s star, story and characters.
ACTION-PACKED FACT
Jeff Imada is the mastermind behind the extraordinary fighting style in the Bourne movies.
For months before shooting began, Denzel worked alongside Jeff to mold his body and psyche into a serious fighting machine. The action on set was exciting as well as inspiring. The result will blow you away.
My prediction: “huge hit.”
Next post: my experience on “The Book of Eli.”
Great to read something about the production, thanks! I can’t wait til this opens to see it. I am a big Ray Stevenson fan, as well as Jeff Wolfe. I have met both a couple of times and they are great guys.
I really enjoyed your site. Very well done! I especially like the video clips of your acting. You are pretty good and you look familiar to me.
I see you have done “The Irishman”. Again with Ray and Jeff. Would you please post about your experiences on that set? Any info would be great. I love all of the actors in that one. Many of my old favorites. I was born and spent my early years in Brooklyn so mob stuff (well made of course) always interests me. I have followed Steve Schirripa career a bit, and Mike Starr’s.
Thanks again for your interest and questions. And thanks for the compliment on my site. Teri Ryan designed it for me and it serves me well. Interesting that you have met both Ray and Jeff. How did that come to be? Both really great men.
Ray is a wonderful actor to work with. Besides being a “just a regular guy”, he is giving and generous as an actor. A real pro, a fun guy, a good dad. He had his family on the set of Eli. His wife is lovely and his son is every bit his dad’s boy. Big, handsome and pretty fearless. And Jeff is like Ray’s Kissin Cousin. Great professional stuntman and coordinator, dad and friend. He too has a beautiful wife and a terrific little “Mini Me” who is a little younger than Ray’s son. It’ll be interesting to see if they grow up together and pursue entertainment business.
Working “The Irishman” was a fun but quick experience for me. Jeff called me in to double Steve Schrippa as a passenger in a car that gets shot at and speeds off. I did the stunt the first couplke of takes and then Steve jumped in the car and did it himself…and did it well. He’s a basically happy guy who did a cool thing that night after shooting. Steve threw out the first pitch for the Tigers that night and Keii Johnston, (who doubled Bruce Willis for years) and I went to the game. Turns out Steve’s got a pretty good arm!
Thanks for replying, Carl. I am looking forward to the Irishman with anticipation. Of course, Book of Eli is getting good reviews already.
I was at Comic Con 2008 with a friend who knew Tim Bradstreet and I met Ray, Jeff, and Gayle Ann Hurd, and even Thomas Jane…he and Tim had a booth set up at CC.
I met Ray and Jeff again at a poster signing I went to and had a nice chat with both men who remembered me from Comic Con. They are great guys! I have not had the pleasure of meeting their wives. I have seen many pics of their chldren though.
Have you ever worked with Terry King who is an explosives expert im the movies.? I haven’t seen him since high school but I have heard through friends that he has been in the business for a long time.
Steve Schirripa sounds like a great guy…like one of my family members back in Brooklyn…haha.
HAY THANK ONE MORE QUESTION DOES JB HAVE A BIG PART INIT OR SMALL WHAT I AM SAYING HOW MUCH SCREEN TIME DOES SHE HAVE
Hi again. Impossible to tell at this point, but she is a lead in the film and has several great scenes. Sounds like you’re a big fan of Jennifer’s. Write again once the film airs and tell me what you think.
Hi Elaine – thanks for posting. Sad to say, I didn’t share any scenes with Jennifer Beals. Which was a shame because I’ve always thought very highly of her work. I can tell you that the makeup and hair people – who are always the most in the know – said she was wonderful to work with. Very personable and professional. As was the entire cast on this one – Malcolm McDonald, Mila Kunis, Joe Pingue, Ray Stevenson and, of course, Denzel Washington. Keep your eye on Mila – I did have scenes with her and she’ll be one of long-term favorite stars.
can you tell me how big of a part jennifer beals in it did you happen to meet her please tell people who have meet her have said she has a kind heart did you take any photos