The thrilling true story of the Tuskegee Airmen comes to the big screen in this epic war adventure from executive producer George Lucas and first-time feature director Anthony Hemingway (Treme, The Wire). In the fire and chaos of World War II, the U.S. military recruits a fearless group of African-American fighter pilots to help reclaim the skies over Europe. Discriminated against both as citizens and as soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen take flight in planes distinguished by distinctive red tails, and fight for their country. ‘Red Tails’ features a stellar cast in Cuba Gooding Jr, Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith aka Method Man, Kevin Phillips, Aml Ameen, Rick Otto, Lee Tergesen, Andre Royo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan and Daniela Ruah. The film is released in US cinemas January 20th. Expect a UK release date for the film soon.

You character is brash yet supremely talented…..

David Oyelewo: Yes. I guess the way I would describe Lightning is that he’s the hot head of the group. He’s also the best fighter pilot of the group. He’s a raw ball of talent, in a sense. He’s one of those rare guys who probably puts the least amount of work in, he’s just gifted. Part of his coming of age story is that he needs direction, he needs Easy, his friend, to guide him and advise him. He needs the character that Terrence Howard plays, in the shape of Colonel A.J. Bullard, to direct him. I think he embodies that thing that a lot of young people need, which is for someone to come alongside them and mentor them – and that is where they often get the example of greatness.

How was it for you to play your character Terrence, this Colonel who strove for excellence through a huge amount of adversity?

Terrence Howard: The character, the nature of the person I’m playing, he was the foundation stone of which these young men put a lot of their faith into. Because here this man could rise to the point of becoming a Colonel in 1941, and receive that respect. It was thought that enlisted black men could never become an Officer let alone a Major, let alone a become a Colonel. And then to still be able to hold yourself in some type of regard, and be able to withstand the waves of opposition that came your way, but to be able to stand firm through all of that, that’s what my character represented. He’s a spearhead, what he’s trying to do is open the way for Lightning, for Easy, for Joker, for Smokey, so that they can come and establish the future.

Growing up in England, what did you know about the Tuskegee Airmen before this film?

David Oyelewo: I knew very little, little to none to be perfectly honest. And that was part of the pleasures of getting to do this project, being able to delve into the research, speak to the actual Tuskegee Airmen. But one of the shocking things to me was that a lot of Americans didn’t know the story either – both young and old. I felt that that was an indictment upon the education system. Because America is very good at celebrating heroes. I just couldn’t understand why this particular story hadn’t been celebrated, considering that these men operated at the very highest level. Fighter pilots are the glamour boys, they are the rock stars of the military – and especially in the second World War, which is the war that that particular part of fighting really came into its own. They were flying these planes selflessly, they weren’t out there just getting kills, they were guiding bombers in. They had there eyes on the big prize. That in of itself is so brave and so courageous. It was a delight for me to go on that educational arc.

What did you take away from what you learnt about the Tuskegee Airmen and the character you played?

Terrence Howard: For me, the things I thought I knew about the Red Tails, I thought the Red Tails represented the people themselves. But the Red Tails represented the planes. I came to know the men, through watching David and Nate Parker portray these people. I came to know the men who made these planes go up and down, east and west. Because you can never associate yourself with a plane, but with a human being….and you get to talk to Dr. Roscoe C. Brown Jr, Lee Archer, and I got to shake their hands. And whether I’m able to stand in their shoes ever again in my life, I know I can shake a hand the way they shake a hand, I know I can look a man in the eye the way they look a man in the eye, I know I can speak in a full tone of my voice and not hide the base of my voice for fear it might frighten someone the way they can….then maybe I can inspire the next generation, or maybe I can accomplish something I’ve set out to accomplish.

Lucas Film has released this new poster for Anthony Hemingway’s upcoming war drama ‘Red Tails.’ Lucas executive produces the flick while Hemingway (Treme, The Wire) is on directional duty. ‘Red Tails’ is based on the heroic exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all African-American combat squadron who fought in World War II. The film features a stellar cast in Cuba Gooding Jr, Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith aka Method Man, Kevin Phillips, Aml Ameen, Rick Otto, Lee Tergesen, Andre Royo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan and Daniela Ruah. ‘Red Tails’ is released in US cinemas January 20th. There’s currently no UK release date pencilled in for the film, hopefully that changes soon *nudges Lucas Film and 20th Century Fox*.

1944. As the war in Europe continues to take its toll on Allied forces, the Pentagon brass has no recourse but to consider unorthodox options – including the untried and untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program. Just as the young Tuskegee men are on the brink of being shut down and shipped back home, they are given the ultimate chance to show their courage. Against all the odds, with something to prove and everything to lose, these intrepid young airmen take to the skies to fight for their country – and the fate of the free world.

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”).

Lucas Film has released this featurette focusing on George Lucas to coincide with five new clips from Anthony Hemingway’s upcoming war drama ‘Red Tails.’ Lucas executive produces the flick while Hemingway (Treme, The Wire) is on directional duty. ‘Red Tails’ is based on the heroic exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all African-American combat squadron who fought in World War II. The film features a top-notch cast in Cuba Gooding Jr, Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith aka Method Man, Kevin Phillips, Aml Ameen, Rick Otto, Lee Tergesen, Andre Royo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan and Daniela Ruah. ‘Red Tails’ is released in cinemas January 20th.

1944. As the war in Europe continues to take its toll on Allied forces, the Pentagon brass has no recourse but to consider unorthodox options – including the untried and untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program. Just as the young Tuskegee men are on the brink of being shut down and shipped back home, they are given the ultimate chance to show their courage. Against all the odds, with something to prove and everything to lose, these intrepid young airmen take to the skies to fight for their country – and the fate of the free world.

iTunes Movie Trailers has released this new poster and trailer for LucasFilm’s upcoming war drama ‘Red Tails.’ George Lucas executive produces the flick while Anthony Hemingway (Treme, The Wire) is on directional duty. ‘Red Tails’ is based on the heroic exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all African-American combat squadron who fought in World War II. The film features a top-notch cast in Cuba Gooding Jr, Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith aka Method Man, Kevin Phillips, Aml Ameen, Rick Otto, Lee Tergesen, Andre Royo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan and Daniela Ruah. The film is released in cinemas January 20th 2012.

1944. As the war in Europe continues to take its toll on Allied forces, the Pentagon brass has no recourse but to consider unorthodox options – including the untried and untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program. Just as the young Tuskegee men are on the brink of being shut down and shipped back home, they are given the ultimate chance to show their courage. Against all the odds, with something to prove and everything to lose, these intrepid young airmen take to the skies to fight for their country – and the fate of the free world.

LucasFilm has released this new behind-the-scenes video for their war drama ‘Red Tails.’ George Lucas executive produces the flick while Anthony Hemingway (Treme, The Wire) is on directional duty. ‘Red Tails’ is based on the heroic exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all African-American combat squadron who fought in World War II. The film features a top-notch cast in Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith aka Method Man, Kevin Phillips, Aml Ameen, Rick Otto, Lee Tergesen, Andre Royo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan and Daniela Ruah. The film hits cinemas January 20th, 2012.

1944. As the war in Europe continues to take its toll on Allied forces, the Pentagon brass has no recourse but to consider unorthodox options – including the untried and untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program. Just as the young Tuskegee men are on the brink of being shut down and shipped back home, they are given the ultimate chance to show their courage. Against all the odds, with something to prove and everything to lose, these intrepid young airmen take to the skies to fight for their country – and the fate of the free world.

LucasFilm has released this rather fantastic poster and new trailer for their epic war drama ‘Red Tails.’ George Lucas executive produces the flick while Anthony Hemingway (Treme, The Wire) is on directional duty. ‘Red Tails’ is based on the heroic exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all African-American combat squadron who fought in World War II. The film features a top-notch cast in Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith aka Method Man, Kevin Phillips, Aml Ameen, Rick Otto, Lee Tergesen, Andre Royo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan and Daniela Ruah. The film hits cinemas January 20th, 2012.

1944. As the war in Europe continues to take its toll on Allied forces, the Pentagon brass has no recourse but to consider unorthodox options – including the untried and untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program. Just as the young Tuskegee men are on the brink of being shut down and shipped back home, they are given the ultimate chance to show their courage. Against all the odds, with something to prove and everything to lose, these intrepid young airmen take to the skies to fight for their country – and the fate of the free world.

LucasFilm has released this debut trailer for their epic war drama ‘Red Tails,’ which hits cinemas January 20th, 2012. George Lucas executive produces the flick while Anthony Hemingway (Treme, The Wire) is on directional duty. ‘Red Tails’ is based on the heroic exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-black African-American combat squadron who fought in World War II. The film features a top-notch cast in Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith aka Method Man, Kevin Phillips, Aml Ameen, Rick Otto, Lee Tergesen, Andre Royo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan and Daniela Ruah.

1944. As the war in Europe continues to take its toll on Allied forces, the Pentagon brass has no recourse but to consider unorthodox options – including the untried and untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program. Just as the young Tuskegee men are on the brink of being shut down and shipped back home, they are given the ultimate chance to show their courage. Against all the odds, with something to prove and everything to lose, these intrepid young airmen take to the skies to fight for their country – and the fate of the free world.

Thehollywoodreporter have released the first image of Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard in the upcoming movie Winnie. Hudson -who deservedly won an Oscar for her role in ‘Dreamgirls’- is playing Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, while Howard is playing Nelson Mandela.  The script is based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography “Winnie Mandela:A Life.” Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman to say the least, I’m really interested to see how this film pans out, on paper it looks like a gem! Winnie is set for release sometime in 2011.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, 72, remains a popular figure in South African politics despite her 1991 conviction for involvement in the kidnapping, assault and death of a 14-year-old alleged informer, Stompie Moeketsi. She and Nelson Mandela had been married for only a year before he was forced into hiding and then imprisoned in 1962 – he would only be freed in 1990. While he was in gaol, she became an increasingly powerful figure in the African National Congress and went on to run the ANC Women’s League. She was deputy minister of arts, culture, science and technology in the first post-apartheid government for 11 months, until allegations of corruption led to her dismissal.