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Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr. Join Lucas' Red Tails

by Alex Billington
April 6, 2009

The LucasFilm production of Red Tails, a fictional story inspired by the historic and heroic exploits of America's first all black aerial combat unit in WWII, has completed casting and will soon begin principal photography in Europe. Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Bryan Cranston have joined the cast. In addition to those three, the ensemble cast also includes Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Method Man, Lee Tergesen, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Andre Royo and Jesse Williams. Red Tails is being directed by Anthony Hemingway, as announced last year, and written by John Ridley (Undercover Brother).

"I've been wanting to do Red Tails for 20 years, and we've finally got the means to showcase the skill of the Tuskegee pilots," Lucas said. "We're working on techniques which will give us the first true look at the aerial dogfighting of the era." If Flyboys was a glimpse at what dogfighting could look like on the big screen, then I'll say I definitely can't wait for this, even if Lucas is behind it. Thankfully, he's not directing, writing, or even really producing (just exec producing). Despite the Iron Man incident, I still like Terrence Howard. And as for Cuba Gooding Jr., we haven't seen him much recently, so it'll be great to have him back.

Filed under Casting, Movie News

From around the web:

Scott McHenry

hmm interesting, it's good to see Cuba back
Mr j Money

Well, Lucas was inspired by the WWII dogfights for Star Wars. I hope this turns out to be a winner and accurate, yet exciting depiction. I like Cuba & Terrence.
KMils

I don't want to take anything away from Howard or Gooding Jr (or the Tuskegee Airmen, who had some serious balls to fight for a nation where they were second class citizens) but a couple of 40 year olds starring in a movie about pilots in WWII? Where the commanding officer was a 30 year old graduate of West Point? Age isn't anything, but there has to be a younger generation of actors that can take these roles. They grabbed a few of the kids from The Wire to star in it (fantastic move, the director got his experience on that show), and I really hope that they showcase more of the younger talent rather than focusing on the already established stars. We have a few African-American lead actors, but it seems like they've been around forever. Some new blood would be fantastic - Tristan Wilds had some serious presence in The Wire, and it would be great to see more of him in this film.
Papichulo

Every light skinned brother in Hollywood is going to be in this movie. Hopefully they'll shoot in Tuskegee and I can get a part as an extra.
Josh Rowe

Well I don't want to say all black people look alike but...
bozoconnors

oh - this movie's still a go? George... let's get on it bud. How about that live action Star Wars series as well while you're at it.... *taps foot