Masters of the Air: Is Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ New Series Related to Band of Brothers? – Explained

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks are reuniting once again, as executive producers for the upcoming epic war drama series Masters of the Air. The duo collaborated in the past to produce two other acclaimed World War-themed series for HBO namely Band of Brothers in 2001 and The Pacific in 2010.

The new ambitious Apple TV+ series has been in development since 2021 and will delve into the brave efforts of the 100th Bombardment Group of the American Eighth Air Force who fought against the Nazis in World War 2. Masters of the Air has an ensemble cast bringing their A-game to put together this great story to life.

Also read: “If you just jump off the train…”: Austin Butler Landed ‘Masters of the Air’ After Tom Hanks Became Concerned About His Mental Health

Masters of the Air is Another Bold Series From Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg

The upcoming epic Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air continues Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks‘ exploration of the different facets of World War 2. Their 2001 HBO series Band of Brothers showed the exploits of the Easy Company (506th US Infantry Regiment) and 2010’s The Pacific showed the actions of The US Marine Corps during the Pacific War.

Masters of the Air serves as a companion piece to those two series, showing yet another side of the war, Based on the 2007 book Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany by Donald L. Miller, the series will explore the efforts of the 100th Bombardment Group of the American Eighth Air Force.

As put by Collider, this aerial unit bravely fought the Nazis in World War 2 and suffered numerous casualties and deaths, earning the nickname The Bloody Hundredth. The unit took part in 306 missions and went out with a big victory in their last mission in Berlin in 1945 where no losses occurred.

Actors like Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Barry Keoghan, and Anthony Boyle will play members of this courageous unit in the series. It will premiere on Apple TV + on January 26, 2024, with two episodes first, while the other 7 will be released weekly.

Also read: Steven Spielberg’s Masters of the Air WW2 Series Reportedly Has a Mammoth Budget That Even Dwarfs The Marvels, Features Son Sawyer in Major Role

Executive Producer Praises the Cast of Masters of the Air

The much-awaited Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air has a stacked cast led by Austin Butler, The executive producer of the series Gary Goetzman talked to Total Film about how they lucked out on getting an incredibly talented cast for the show and credited casting director Lucy Bevan for her commendable effort.

Goetzman went on to reveal that Tom Hanks was instrumental in getting Butler for the lead and also geeked out on having Ncuti Gatwa (who is the current Doctor in Doctor Who) in the cast. He said, (via GamesRadar)

“There’s over 300 speaking parts here. [Casting director] Lucy Bevan and her team just did a brilliant job. Who knew we were going to have Doctor Who? “I called Tom and said, ‘What do you think of this actor, Austin Butler?’ He was like ‘Dude, I think he’s great.’ We lucked out – it’s just a great bunch of guys. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Also read: “I’ve got this thing I’m producing”: Tom Hanks Rescued Austin Butler by Offering Him Role in His World War 2 Series After Actor’s ‘Melted Ice Cream’ Diet Left Him Concerned

The series promises to be another thrilling war drama from the duo of Hanks and Steven Spielberg. Audiences who loved Band of Brothers and The Pacific are sure to experience what looks like another stunning masterpiece from the duo.