Michael Gambon has signed on for The Book of Eli, joining a cast that includes Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman and is being directed by Allen and Albert Hughes.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gambon will play one half of a strangle couple that holds onto old traditions in the futuristic tale.

Warner Bros.-based Alcon Entertainment and Silver Pictures are co-producing the film, which Warners will release domestically Jan. 15, 2010, while Summit Entertainment handles international sales.

In The Book of Eli, Washington will play a lone warrior travelling across a wasteland version of America in the not-too-distant future.

The original story is written by Gary Whitta, with a rewrite by Anthony Peckham.

Principal photography begins in February in New Mexico.