Denzel Washington Is a 'Killing Machine'

By Bryan Alexander Posted Jan 7th 2010 12:25PM

The sword-wielding, butt-kicking Denzel Washington is one of the highlights of' 'The Book of Eli,' and the veteran actor has asked PopEater to send a message about his "killing machine" fight scenes. "It's me," Washington says from the 'Eli' junket. "That's all me... It's no stunt man."

Yes, the sword-led can of butt-whooping is opened onscreen by the 54-year-old actor, who underwent intense Japanese sword training with stuntman Jeff Imada. "He trained me. Four or five months out, we started stretching and moving with our eyes closed. Getting into the whole vibe," says Washington.

Learning to let the energy of an opponent come to him during a fight was a pretty important lesson. But for a man of Washington's years, so was stretching. "When you get older, stretching is good. I don't do it enough," says Washington "It helped a lot."

That's clear on screen -- whether it's laying waste to foes at a last-chance saloon or along a Mad Max-esque highway. But Washington has not continued the training for butt-kicking on a life-basis.

"There's a part of you that wants to continue, then there's the actor part that says I have to put that down, I have to play another guy."

So for history and for all his hard work, Washington wanted to make sure everyone knows he was the on-screen sword master -- even if it came to briefly disagreeing with directors Albert and Allen Hughes in one fight scene. "At one point they were going to shoot me in silhouette. I was like you're not even going to show me after all of that?" Washington asks incredulously.

"Get closer or something," he recalls saying. "I was like, 'Make sure they know it's me.'"

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Denzel Washington Photos

Denzel Washington attends a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. More photos >>

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Denzel Washington Photos

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 09: Denzel Washington attends a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Denzel Washington *** Local Caption *** Denzel Washington

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 09: Denzel Washington (L) and Daniel Negreanu (R) attend a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Denzel Washington;Daniel Negreanu

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Actor Denzel Washington, left, chares a laugh with former NBA player Norm Nixon during the first half of NBA basketball game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 9: Actor Denzel Washington (L) and former NBA player Norm Nixon attend a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Denzel Washington;Norm Nixon

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A Denzel Washington wax figure is seen at Madame Tussauds in Hollywood, California, on August 27, 2009. Marie Tussaud, born Anna Maria Grosholtz (1761�1850) was born in Strasbourg, France. Tussaud created her first wax figure, of Voltaire, in 1777. Other famous people she modelled at that time include Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Benjamin Franklin. During the French Revolution she modelled many prominent victims. In her memoirs she claims that she would search through corpses to find the decapitated heads of executed citizens, from which she would make death masks. Madame Tussaud's wax museum has now grown to become a major tourist attraction in London, it has expanded with branches in Amsterdam, Berlin, Las Vegas, New York City, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Washington, D.C., and Hollywood since 2009. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

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Tags: Book of Eli, BookOfEli, denzel washington, DenzelWashington

Comments

(28)

Thursday 07 January

By monday, monday

Vote down Vote up Report this

LEROY YOU'RE GAY

By JOD

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

MR. Washington gave a million doller to the U.S.Army, to help the wounded soldiers.How bad can he be?

By OIG

Leave Mr. Washington alone. He has done great work in films. He is a charitable and benevolent human being!

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Monday 11 January

By Gail E. Cooper

Denzel Washington is one of the best actors in the business. I can't recall him ever giving less than 100% to any of his roles. I'm quite sure The Book of Eli will be well worth seeing this weekend and I can't wait! You go, Denzel! Don't worry about "the haters". You're a class act and you have the awards to prove it! Just keep on doing what you do best and GOD will take care of the rest.

Tuesday 28 September

By Mikelson Dagrin

Hello Denzel .overall that's what you were created for.You are one of my favorite actor. great work. Micheal aka Mikelson

Friday 14 January

By Chee Chee

I cannot stand all you haters, the problem is you are jealous of anybody successful. If he was lazy I do not think he would not have a great career in hollywood. ALSO WHERE ARE YOU GETTING YOUR INFORMATION FROM. YOU DO NOT EVEN KNOW HIM.

Wednesday 16 March

By yolanda wright

denzel is wonderful and very smart he didnt stay in one place he found himself and he is very sexy wish i could meet him in person

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