Movie - Flyboys, a WWI aviation film

[Guest Glenn]

Production is currently underway of a new film about WWI aviation. More information below from BBC.

 

The Cannes Film Festival has been treated to an early preview of World War I movie Flyboys, which is currently being filmed in the UK. The movie is about a group of young US pilots who formed the French fighter pilot squadron Lafayette Escadrille.

Director Tony Bill said the film would contain actual footage of the main actors flying aeroplanes, as well as dramatic CGI aerial battle sequences.

 

Spider-Man actor James Franco learned to fly especially for the role.

 

Newcomer David Ellison was already an accomplished pilot and aerobatics expert.

 

Producer David Devlin said it had been 40 years since the last film about World War I aviation had been made, and new technology meant the time was right for another.

 

"There is an young audience out there who have never seen this kind of combat, because up until now we have not been able to do it," he said.

 

"The technology to create these aerial battle scenes has not been there, so there is an opportunity to show them something they have never seen before."

 

Devlin said three replicas of the French aircraft Nieuport 17 had been built especially for the film.

 

Tight budget

 

"We are going to do an extensive amount of aerial shots and using real planes, and use digital imagery to do the things that are just too dangerous.

 

"People will be surprised at how much aerial work will actually be in the film."

 

Devlin also described the film as the "biggest low-budget film ever made". "We are trying to make a $150m movie on $60m, so we are trying to stretch every scene."

 

French-actor Jean Reno also stars in the film which is currently in production at Elstree studios in Hertfordshire.

 

Spider-Man actor James Franco learned to fly especially for the role.

What an opportunity. Sounds like it will be a good film.