It is opening weekend for the “Red Tails,” executive producer George Lucas’ action film about the Tuskegee Airmen.
Anthony Hemmingway, best known for his work in HBO’s “The Wire” and “Oz,” directed the movie. Actors Terrance Howard (“Iron Man” and “Pride”) and Cuba Gooding Jr. (“Jerry Maguire” and “Boyz n the Hood”) headline the star-studded cast.
Lucas, best known for his multi-billion dollar “Star Wars” franchise, said he had to personally fund “Red Tails” because major studios told him they did not think a big budget movie without any major roles for whites could turn a profit.
“I showed it to all of them and they said no,” Lucas said. “We don't know how to market a movie like this.”
Lucas poured $58M into the production “Red Tails” and another “$35M into its distribution. He says he understands his movie carries high stakes for the future of big budget black films.
I realize that by accident I've now put the black film community at risk,” Lucas said in an interview. “I'm saying, if this doesn't work, there's a good chance you'll [the black film community] stay where you are for quite a while. It'll be harder for you guys to break out of that [lower-budget] mold. But if I can break through with this movie, then hopefully there will be someone else out there saying let's make a prequel and sequel.”
Movies are made or broken by their opening weekend performances. Let’s all go out and make “Red Tails” a box office success.