Movies - TV
Jonathan Majors' Family History Upped The Pressure While Filming Devotion
By JENNA BUSCH
Based on Adam Makos’ book, “Devotion” is the story of Jesse Brown and Tom Hudner Jr., two of the most decorated aviators from the Korean War, and their enduring friendship and loyalty. Jonathan Majors plays Brown, the first Black man to complete the U.S. Navy’s basic flight training program — a role Majors revealed had high stakes due to his family’s history.
The actor, who had two grandfathers in the service, said, “My paternal grandfather, the guy who, you know, ran the farm, built the farm, was in Korea. And this story is about the Korean War. About the first Black naval aviator. And he fought in the Korean War.” Majors felt pressure to bring the story of those who fought in the war to life and honor their sacrifices.
Further adding pressure, Majors explained, was the director and his father, who served as the film’s consultant, and their military connection: “Our director, J.D. Dillard, his father was the second Black Blue Angel in the history of the Blue Angels. Talk about stakes, man.” Dillard has commented that Majors’ portrayal of Jesse Brown reminded him of his father.