Anthony Hemingway To Direct George Lucas’ Red Tails

Posted on Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 by Peter Sciretta

Red Tails is one of those projects that I’ve never been interested in. George Lucas has been developing the film since 1989, and was originally going to direct the movie himself. He infamously put the project aside to helm the Star Wars prequels. It has now been officially announced that Anthony Hemingway (The Wire, CSI: NY, ER) has signed on to helm the project.

Scripted by John Ridley, the story follows the true events surrounding the first African Americans to become US military pilots in WWII. At first harassed on Racial grounds, the Tuskegee Airmen went on to become heavily in-demand, and were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. LucasFilm is financing the project for a reported $30-$35 million. Production will begin early next year in Prague, Italy, Croatia and England.

Okay, to recap: We have a film developed by George Lucas for the last 20 years, written by the guy who created Undercover Brother and directed by a television director? I’ll pass.

Discuss: Is anyone excited about Red Tails?

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Action/Adventure, Drama, LucasFilm, Screenwriting, True Story, War, , , ,

  • Not particularly.
  • simon2it
    I just want to see how he'll put aliens into this one.
  • Actually I was excited about the premise for this movie, but not particularly the production team. But you never know...it may turn out as a decent movie.
  • John R
    The Wire is a pretty damn good show. But the HBO version of the Tuskegee Airmen story was pretty damn good, too.

    "Undercover Brother"? Dave Chappelle was the only redeeming portion of that piece. Good Luck with this Lucas. Maybe he's trying to make up for Jar Jar.
  • The Tuskegee Airmen deserve much better than this trio of charlie foxtrots.
  • Marty J
    "Okay, to recap: We have a film developed by George Lucas for the last 20 years, written by the guy who created Undercover Brother and directed by a television director? I’ll pass."

    It's good that you're keeping an open mind about this. I guess it's the same drill as always - If it's good credit the director, if it's bad blame it on Lucas.
  • thomas
    OR we could just go watch the movie "Tuskegee Airmen" that came out years ago!!!!!
  • Pentarix
    no.
  • hawk
    You know Spielberg was a TV director doing episodes of Night Gallery, Marcus Welby and the TV movie Duel.

    And frankly, I think better writing is coming for TV these days.
  • Kenny
    John Ridley did write the story to Three Kings and anyone associated with the Wire (the greatest show in the history of television) is a God in my eyes.

    except the guy who played Ziggy

    though he was good in Generation Kill...

    anyway, I am looking forward to it. the HBO movie was good, but it will be interesting to see battle scenes that aren't stock footage.
  • Captain Awesome
    Undercover Brother was awesome.
  • niko
    If commercial and music video directors can decide to direct a movie, I think television movies are more than qualified to do the same. Sciretta, you just made yourself seem like a total douche. I think you should qualify the assertion that television directors aren't capable of directing movies that are worth your time.
  • niko
    My bad. Meant television directors in last post.
  • erik
    @Kenny "the Wire (the greatest show in the history of television) is a God in my eyes." Agreed.
  • The_Jezzus
    I can't wait to hear what Spike Lee has to say about this.

    Just don't sit him by Heming-whatever at the Academy Awards.
  • Wait, so, for years, people berate Lucas for not doing anything other than Star Wars and plead with him -- with all his clout and standing -- to give young filmmakers a chance in the industry.

    Then he does both of these things in one project and everyone's skeptical and negative about it.
  • Agent J
    Undercover Brother was infact AWESOME. The Star Wars Prequels were infact Uber Awesome.
    George Lucas > You. nuff' said.
  • edog
    As long as Lucas isn't directing, there is hope.

    And for what it's worth, Tarantino has directed an episode each of both CSI and ER, so don't be a hater.
  • I think that these heroes deserve to be immortalized on film -- even if that film is produced by He Who Kills All That He Touches.
  • danno
    George:
    "Listen..umm, could we put in the Death Star? We'll put swastikas on it. Anyway the Nazis used extra terrestial technology to make their flying saucers. So I see it as a really positive direction for us to go."
  • Amen Agent J
  • Angela
    I am a 2004 graduate from Tuskegee University and would love to see someone develop another movie about the Tuskegee Airmen. I can't wait.

    ***I should have a role in this***
  • Gregory
    definitely interested in this film
  • btend
    I will me leaving to Prague May 12th. They will be filming Red Tails at that time. I look forward to seeing the filming. As well I think they put a good cast together including... Brian Cranson, Cuba Gooding and Terrence Howard. I think its time for this movie!
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