Directors Allen and Albert Hughes join Denzel Washington on the set of "The Book of Eli." (David Lee/Warner Bros. Pictures)

When I first started hearing about the upcoming film, “The Book of Eli,” I was intrigued, but not particularly excited. Sure, it stars Denzel Washington — who I’d watch doing just about anything — as a lone gunman type traveling through a post-apocalyptic landscape with a mysterious book that he must protect at all costs. (Sounds cool, doesn’t it?) The trailer looked gorgeous, and the plot seemed much like a delightfully nutty cross between “Mad Max” and “The Road,” with a liberal sprinkling of “The Warriors” thrown in. The fight scenes looked great. And if that wasn’t enough, I knew that Gary Oldman (who’s probably still picking bits of “The Professional” set from his teeth) would bring a hefty dose of crazy along for the ride.

So, why wasn’t I giddy yet? That’s all me, I’m afraid. You see, I have a bad habit of getting super-excited about movies months in advance — and then waiting patiently for the DVD release. (Exhibit A: “Watchmen.”) Keeping my rather unique form of procrastination in mind, I resigned myself to seeing “The Book of Eli” sometime around the Memorial Day. That is, until I learned that the film was directed by the Hughes Brothers, who have been pretty much missing from feature films since they helmed the 2001 adaptation of Alan Moore’s graphic novel “From Hell.”

Twins Allen and Albert didn’t exactly disappear from the Hollywood scene — they executive produced the USA series “Touching Evil” and the DJ documentary “Scratch” in the interim — but considering that they debuted at age 20 with the searing one-two punch of “Menace II Society”(1993) and “Dead Presidents” (1995), you won’t be blamed for wondering where the heck they’ve been all this time.

“Menace II Society” may have been released amid a glut of 90s “hood films,” but its stark nihilism, visual flair and eminent quotability made it an instant classic. It has some laugh-out-loud funny moments, but it also opens with a baby-faced teen committing a double murder for the flimsiest of reasons and ends with (I’m not kidding) the most devastating sequence I’ve ever seen on film. “Dead Presidents” is an ambitious period piece set in the post-Vietnam South Bronx and is no less devastating than “Menace” in its depiction of the difficulties of civilian life. (On a lighter note, the film is hardcore proof that Chris Tucker can act.) After that, the brothers directed the critically acclaimed documentary “American Pimp,” which once again showcased their uncanny ability to present unsavory characters in an affecting manner.

“The Book of Eli” is scheduled to open on January 15, and the buzz has been quite positive so far. In fact, the staff at io9.com just named it one of the 20 science fiction movies they’re most excited to see this year. Whatever the outcome for this film, I just hope I don’t have to wait 10 years for the Hughes’ next project.