Masters of the Air
GenreWar drama
Based onMasters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought The Air War Against Nazi Germany
by Donald L. Miller
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Cinematography
Editors
Production companies
DistributorApple Studios
Budget$200–250 million
Release
Original networkApple TV+
Chronology
Preceded by

Masters of the Air is an upcoming American war drama miniseries based on the actions of the Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It is being produced by Apple Studios in cooperation with Playtone, Parliament of Owls, Amblin Television. The series will be released on Apple TV+.

Cast

Guest

Production

Emblem of the Eighth Air Force in World War II
Emblem of the Eighth Air Force in World War II

Reports of a third World War II based miniseries in the same vein as Band of Brothers and The Pacific developed by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg began in October 2012, focusing on United States Army Air Forces aircrews of the Eighth Air Force.[1] In January 2013, HBO confirmed it was developing the miniseries, based on Donald L. Miller's book Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany.[2]

In October 2019, it was reported that Apple had made a deal with Spielberg's and Hanks's respective production companies to stream the series exclusively on Apple TV+ instead of HBO.[3] HBO confirmed that it decided not to move forward with the series in a statement.[4] Deadline Hollywood reported the series contains ten episodes at a production cost of over $200 million, while The Hollywood Reporter said it contains nine episodes at a production cost of $250 million.[5][6] The website Footsteps Research reported the series would focus on the 100th Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force.[7]

In October 2020, Cary Joji Fukunaga was announced to be directing the first three episodes of the series.[8] In February 2021, Austin Butler and Callum Turner were cast to star in the series.[5] Anthony Boyle and Nate Mann joined the cast in March,[9][10] with Raff Law, James Murray and Tommy Jessop added in April.[11][12][13] Freddy Carter revealed his casting in a May interview,[14] while set photos revealed Barry Keoghan was also cast.[15] In June, Dee Rees was announced as directing episodes of the series.[16] In July, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck were also announced as directing episodes.[17] Colleen Atwood will serve as costume designer.[18]

In February 2021, it was reported that production in Britain had begun, at Dalton Barracks in Oxfordshire, England.[19] Retrospective temporary 12 month planning permission has been applied for at Newland Park, Chalfont St Peter, following the construction of a WWII barracks on the site.[20] Filming paused briefly in July due to positive COVID-19 tests.[21] Production also occurred in Hemel Hempstead.[22] The series used on-set virtual production by Lux Machina for cockpit scenes.[23][24]

The series will be the first Apple TV+ series produced in-house.[25] In a November 2022 interview Playtone executive Kirk Saduski revealed “Masters of the Air” will begin streaming “mid-Spring 2023”.[26]

See also

References

  1. ^ Keene, Allison (October 19, 2012). "HBO Considering Third BAND OF BROTHERS TV Series". Collider. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020.
  2. ^ Guthrie, Marisa (January 18, 2013). "HBO Developing Third WWII Miniseries with Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 11, 2019). "Apple Enlists For 'Masters Of The Air' As Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks & Gary Goetzman Fly From HBO For WWII Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Gonzalez, Sandra (October 11, 2019). "'Masters of the Air' from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks lands at Apple". CNN. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (February 26, 2021). "'Masters Of The Air': Austin Butler And Callum Turner To Star in 'Band Of Brothers' Sequel For Apple, Amblin & Playtone". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (October 11, 2019). "Apple Launches In-House Studio With 'Band of Brothers'/'The Pacific' Follow-Up". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "What We Know So Far About Apple TV's Masters of the Air: The Latest on Upcoming WWII Miniseries About The Mighty Eighth". Footsteps Research. November 7, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 8, 2020). "007 Helmer Cary Joji Fukunaga To Direct Trio Of WWII 'Masters Of The Air' Episodes For Apple TV+, Playtone & Amblin; Filmmaker Also Closing First-Look Apple Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  9. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 16, 2021). "'Masters Of The Air': Anthony Boyle Joins 'Band Of Brothers' Sequel For Apple, Amblin And Playtone". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  10. ^ Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (March 29, 2021). "Nate Mann to Star in Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg's World War II Series 'Masters of the Air' at Apple". Variety. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  11. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (April 6, 2021). "Raff Law Joins Apple Studios' 'Masters Of The Air', Playtone & Amblin WWII Drama Underway In UK". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  12. ^ Thomson, Emily (April 30, 2021). "What do we know about Spielberg and Hanks' war series set in Norfolk?". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  13. ^ Beresford, Jack. "Irish actor starring in Band of Brothers sequel Masters of the Air". The Irish Post. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Freddy Carter Live Q&A with Entertainment Weekly". Instagram. TeamFreddyCUK. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  15. ^ Line Of Duty star Tommy Jessop spotted on set of Steven Spielberg’s World War II drama Masters Of The Air
  16. ^ Keegan, Rebecca (June 17, 2021). "Director Dee Rees on the Importance of Debut 'Pariah' Becoming a Criterion Release: "We Have to Widen the Canon"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  17. ^ "STAR-STRUCK: Which actors can you spot at the Spielberg set IN Oxfordshire?". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  18. ^ "'Story Telling Through Time' - Hats of the Stage and Screen". The British Hat Guild. February 3, 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  19. ^ Prosser, Eirian Jane (February 22, 2021). "First look at set for 'Tom Hanks' and 'Spielberg' TV show being filmed in Oxfordshire". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Chiltern & South Bucks Areas Planning Portal". Buckinghamshire Council. February 4, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  21. ^ The New Normal on U.K. Productions: Vaccination Questions, Double Props and Tennis Balls
  22. ^ Smith, Matthew (20 October 2021). "After Life Series 3, Masters of the Air and Sex Pistols biopic filming handed council six figures after closing town". Hertfordshire Mercury. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  23. ^ "MoTA = @cary_fukunaga". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  24. ^ "Lux Machina Consulting on Instagram: "2022 was a big year for us. We continued to innovate and lead the industry in the areas of Live Events, Brand & Agency, Broadcast, Episodic & film. And we couldn't have done it without you! So what's next? Well, we're ready to keep building on that momentum into 2023 and beyond—and we can't wait to partner with you! #NEPVS #broadcast #film #tv #production #newyear"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  25. ^ Thorne, Will (2019-10-11). "Apple Launches In-House Studio, Sets 'Band of Brothers' Follow-Up Series". Variety. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  26. ^ https://www.darkhorizons.com/last-of-us-masters-of-the-air-release-plans

External links

Apple TV+ original programming
Cary Joji Fukunaga
Categories