Looking at Lucasfilm Ep 55: George Lucas's Passion for "Red Tails"

Podcast Transition and Future

• 🎙️ Dan Zehr announces he will be stepping down as co-host of "Looking at Lucasfilm" due to his growing commitments with "Coffee with Kenobi" and his teaching career.
• 🤝 Jim Hill expresses disappointment but emphasizes their continued friendship and plans for future collaborations.
• 🗓️ Dan's final episodes will be in late December, with three remaining after this one.

The Mandalorian Season 2

• 🌟 The first three episodes of "The Mandalorian" Season 2 are discussed, with praise for the visuals, music, and direction, particularly Bryce Dallas Howard's episodes.
• 💥 Characters like Boba Fett (Tim Morrison) and Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) are highlighted for their impactful returns.
• ⚔️ The significance of the dark saber and its potential storyline with Moff Gideon is a point of intrigue.
• 👶 The child's constant peril in Season 2 is noted as a narrative device, raising the stakes due to the unknown fate of Din Djarin and Grogu.
• 🚀 The crowdfunding success of the Hasbro Razor Crest toy is mentioned, with production expected in time for Season 3.

George Lucas and "Red Tails"

• ✈️ George Lucas's fascination with the Tuskegee Airmen dates back to 1988, with an initial vision for a multi-part epic.
• 🎬 Lucas was primarily drawn to "Red Tails" to revisit the old-fashioned war films he loved as a child, focusing on aerial dogfights.
• 💰 Unable to secure studio funding, Lucas personally financed the $58 million production.
• 🎬 Anthony Hemingway was the initial director, with George Lucas taking over reshoots and bringing in Aaron McGruder for rewrites.
• 🌍 Filming took place in the Czech Republic and Croatia, doubling for WWII Europe, with aerial scenes shot using classic techniques.
• ✅ Lucas's goal was to honor the surviving Tuskegee Airmen by getting the film right, both big and small details, and completing it while they were still alive.
• 🎬 The film's release in 2012 coincided with Lucas's own transition towards retirement and the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney.

"Red Tails" Significance Today

• ✊ The film is receiving a renewed push from Lucasfilm and Disney, highlighting the importance of the Tuskegee Airmen's contributions during WWII.
• 🌍 The discussion emphasizes that black lives mattered and that the pilots' crucial role in protecting bombers likely shortened the war.
• 📺 "Red Tails" is now available on Disney Plus, serving as an important reminder of the airmen's bravery and impact.