George Lucas' 'Red Tails' Trailer Debuts (Video)

After many delays, George Lucas' long-discussed Red Tails has finally received a release date. The film, which details the plight of the first team of African American fighter pilots (the Tuskegee Airmen) to fly in combat during World War II, has been something the Lucas, who is billed as both story writer and executive producer, has talked about making for years. John Ridley was tapped to write the screenplay in 2007 and the film was cast in 2009. On Friday, Lucasfilm released a trailer for the war epic (directed by Anthony Hemingway), now set to hit theaters January 20, 2012. Judging from the trailer, movie-goers can expect to watch star Terrence Howard tussle with Bryan Cranston's prejudiced Major William Mortamus anddeliver a number of motivational speeches set to soaring music which will inspire his courageous team of fighter pilots (which include musicians Ne-Yo and Method Man and up-and-comer Nate Parker (The Secret Life of Bees)). If successful, the film could serve as a comeback of sorts for Cuba Gooding Jr. who plays a military Major (if nothing else, his prior experience playing characters in dramatic-yet-uplifting war films Men of Honor and Pearl Harbor will have come in handy, not to mention a TV movie he made in 1995 called...The Tuskegee Airmen). The cast also includes Daniela Ruah (NCIS: Los Angeles), Michael B. Jordan (Parenthood), Tristan Wilds (90210) and Josh Dallas (Thor). Bryan Cranston Cuba Gooding Jr. George Lucas Terrence Howard