Denzel Washington will star in the futuristic drama The Book of Eli for directing team Allen and Albert Hughes.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros.-based shingle Alcon Entertainment is financing the project and will co-produce with Silver Pictures.

The post-apocalyptic drama is based on a story by Gary Whitta, and scripted by Anthony Peckham, and focuses on the not-so-distant future where America is a wasteland and a lone warrior (Washington) fights to bring society the knowledge that is key to its redemption.

Filming starts in January in New Mexico.