Twentieth Century Fox To Release Epic Action Story Inspired By
The Heroic Tuskegee Airmen
A film described by its producers as "A high-flying action epic
inspired by the heroic exploits of the first all African-American
aerial combat unit" ... the Lucasfilm production of "Red Tails"
will launch on January 20, 2012, released by Twentieth Century Fox.
Produced by Rick McCallum and Charles Floyd Johnson, the gripping
WWII actioner is directed by Anthony Hemingway, who counts among
his credits the HBO series “Treme,” and “The
Wire,” as well as “Battlestar Galactica”.
“I am humbled and honored to direct the story of the
Tuskegee Airmen – heroes who have paved the way so others
could have the opportunity to pursue their dreams,” said
Hemingway. “To be selected by George Lucas and Rick to direct
this film was more than my wildest dreams come true. It’s
been a blessing to work with them, along with the amazingly
talented artists at Industrial Light & Magic. I’ve grown
a lot on many levels from this experience. As director, I had the
fortune to work with a highly skilled crew from the Czech Republic,
U.K. and the U.S., along with a remarkably talented group of
actors. The resonant beauty, strength and dedication of our heroes
is reflected in the powerful ensemble cast.”
Red Tails stars Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire),
Oscar nominee Terrence Howard (Crash), Emmy winner Bryan Cranston
(“Breaking Bad”), Nate Parker (The Secret Life of Bees,
The Great Debaters), David Oyelowo (The Last King of Scotland, Rise
of the Planet of the Apes), Tristan Wilds (“90210”),
Grammy Award winner Cliff Smith aka Method Man (“The
Wire”), Kevin Phillips (Pride), Rick Otto (“The
Wire”), Lee Tergesen (Monster), Andre Royo
(“Heroes”), Grammy-Award winner Ne-Yo (Stomp the Yard),
Elijah Kelley (Hairspray), Marcus T. Paulk (Take the Lead), Leslie
Odom Jr. (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Michael B. Jordan
(“Friday Night Lights,” Chronicle) and Daniela Ruah
(“NCIS”).
“I've wanted to do this film for a great many
years,” said George Lucas, executive producer of Red Tails.
“So it is especially gratifying to see it all come together.
It has been a real pleasure to work with Anthony and the
extraordinary cast on a project that we all passionately believe
in. The Tuskegee Airmen were such superb pilots that it was
essential for us to create visual effects that would live up to
their heroism and put audiences in the cockpit with them. They were
only in their early 20s when they performed these amazing
feats,” Lucas added. “They became the best of the
best—the top guns. It is an honor to bring to the screen a
story inspired by their heroics.”