April 9, 2009
George Lucas to film Tuskegee Airmen story
The real airmen, getting briefed in Italy in 1945.
The director of Star Wars says he’s been waiting 20 years to film the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the African-American pilots who distinguished themselves in the skies over Europe during World War II. Now he’ll get the chance. George Lucas’s company, Lucasfilm, will begin shooting in Europe this spring for Red Tails, starring Academy award-winner Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, and a couple of singer-turned-actors, Ne-Yo and Method Man. Lucas is credited with the story, and novelist and screenwriter John Ridley, who wrote the story for Three Kings, will do the screenplay. The director is Anthony Hemingway, who has worked on the acclaimed HBO series The Wire.
Lucas said in a statement “We’re working on techniques which will give us the first true look at the aerial dogfighting of the era.” But Variety magazine warns:
The airplane genre is not necessarily a big audience lure: Tony Bill’s $60-million labor of love Flyboys grossed just $13 million stateside when it was released last January by MGM. And Spike Lee’s recent World War II epic Miracle at St. Anna about black soldiers in Italy, did not fare well at the boxoffice for Disney, earning just $7.9 million.
[...] at least play one? Then keep an eye on the casting calls for George Lucas’s next film, Red Tails, currently shooting in San [...]
Pingback by Wanna Be a Tuskegee Airman? | The Daily Planet — March 22, 2010 @ 9:43 am
we are the tuskegee airmen…….we went to st emma acad…..with their sons…..and most of us didnt even know it………….most of us hardly new any black american history………and those white priest could hardly care less………but the we got a black priest as commandant of the acad…..by that time our class had left……but in the wind….and the hearts our black history could not be denied…………..the black history of the world has come alive………tuskegee airmen and soldiers and generals of the world……and presidents black presidents of the united states……kings and queens of egypt and rome and generals of napolians army…….so on and on…..just a note from the safari prince st emma acad59 …pmc59 60…unm afrotc6o..63……and black history safari around the world……………….safari prince
Comment by the african prince — May 1, 2011 @ 4:07 am
What a wonderful thing to do making a moving to keep the contributions of African Americans who help free this nation and the world. There are countless heroic deeds done and never told of the true heart of those who love and died for this country. It takes people of sincere heart to see the truth and speak it regardless of color of feelings. I am pleased and thankful to have gone and seen the movie. I have talked with several Tuskegee Airmen and it made me feel good to meet them and thank them for standing so strong for our race and this nation. God bless them and their families. Lets not forget those who served on the ground and on ships. Let freedom ring……………
Comment by Melvin D. Wynn — February 23, 2012 @ 9:50 am
now we need to make the film about the black west point….a film that shows the history of blacks at west point from the early days up till emily perez the first black female regiment comander……..
Comment by the safari prince — May 19, 2012 @ 12:57 am