Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg produce Apple's upcoming follow-up to the epic WWII series, with Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan leading an up-and-coming cast
Based on Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name, and scripted by John Orloff, Masters of the Air follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group (the “Bloody Hundredth”) as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen, and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air.
Portraying the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich, is at the heart of Masters of the Air. Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all.
Ranging in location from the bucolic fields and villages of southeast England, to the harsh deprivations of a German Prisoner of War Camp, and depicting a unique and crucial time in world history, Masters of the Air is enormous in both scale and scope, and a genuine cinematic achievement.
Spielberg has finally caved considering streaming content, he was against the idea of feature movies on streaming services strictly for that medium [Reply]
Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare:
Spielberg has finally caved considering streaming content, he was against the idea of feature movies on streaming services strictly for that medium
Spielberg is the reason BoB got made in the first place. It was always going to HBO. Whats you talking about Willis? [Reply]
Masters of the Air will premiere on January 26, 2024, on Apple TV+.
The series will have a two-episode launch before airing weekly until its finale on March 15.
Development on the series was first reported in 2012, but it wasn’t confirmed by HBO until a year later. The network also confirmed the return of Spielberg and Hanks, alongside Gary Goetzman as executive producers.
Updates were few and far between for six years – and then came the shocking announcement: HBO wasn’t moving forward with Masters of the Air, but Apple had picked it up for its burgeoning streaming platform, making it the first project under its in-house Apple Studios production company. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
Spielberg is the reason BoB got made in the first place. It was always going to HBO. Whats you talking about Willis?
It's not the same thing. BOB and The Pacific were mini-series made specifically for that platform. He had issue with movies not getting a chance to play in theaters. I'm certain he would have made this mini-series for HBO again in either event because he never expected it to get a theatrical release. [Reply]
Long overdue in this format I am pumped for this. Memphis Belle was really really good but if this is anywhere near BOB or The Pacific it will be epic. [Reply]
Though the previous two series were filled with star actors, most of the major players were still relatively unknown actors at the time who went on to have big careers. "Masters of the Air" is starting with two actors who have already been nominated for big awards: Austin Butler (Maj. Gale Cleven) was recently nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in "Elvis," while Barry Keoghan was nominated for his role in "The Banshees of Inisherin."
The series is not just a reunion for Hanks and Spielberg, but many of the writers and on-set consultants from "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific" are returning. Writer Jon Orloff, who adapted the first few episodes of "Masters of the Air" for the screen, also wrote "Band of Brothers" and served as a consultant on "The Pacific." The author of the book, Donald L. Miller, also consulted on "The Pacific."
Directing the first four episodes of the new series is HBO alum Cary Fukunaga, whose work includes the anthology series "True Detective," as well as the James Bond film "No Time to Die." The show's creators have since distanced themselves from Fukunaga amid allegations surrounding his on-set behavior and inappropriate relationships. Since then, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck ("Captain Marvel") were called on to direct two episodes, as was Dee Rees ("Empire"). Director Tim Van Patten, who helmed the series' last episode, also directed "The Pacific."
The first two episodes of "Masters of the Air" will premiere on Apple TV+ starting Jan. 26, 2024, continuing weekly through March 15. [Reply]
Excited for this. Last summer I stood on the beaches of Normandy and took it all in. I love anything related to WWII. Grandfather served in Europe. [Reply]
