Variety reports that Gary Oldman will join the cast of post-apocalyptic action film Book of Eli, which also stars Denzel Washington.

The film tells the story of a lone warrior (played by Washington) who must fight to bring society the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption. Oldman will portray the tyrant of a small town who is determined to take possession of the book Eli’s guarding.

Allen and Albert Hughes are attached to direct, with Joel Silver, Andrew Kosove, Broderick Johnson and Washington himself producing. Production is set to begin in February 2009 with the film pegged for release January 15, 2010.