Entertainment

Spielberg, Hanks Begin Work on 3rd World War II Series: ‘Masters of the Air’

April 28, 2021Mac Caltrider
Masters of the Air, spielberg, hanks, wwii, world war ii

Executive producers of “The Pacific” Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg talk with veterans of the World War II Pacific theater after a ceremony honoring the men at the World War II Memorial. Public domain image.

The highly anticipated World War II miniseries from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks has finally begun production. Masters of the Air is the follow-up to their previous two epics, Band of Brothers and The Pacific, and will focus on the air war over Europe — specifically the 8th Air Force.


The 8th Air Force was the largest of the Army Air Forces during the war. Responsible for bombing missions over France and Germany, the 8th Air Force suffered more than half of all the Army Air Force’s casualties in the war. By the war’s end, members of the 8th Air Force had been awarded 17 Medals of Honor and 220 Distinguished Service Crosses. The unit also boasted a whopping 261 fighter aces, as well as 305 enlisted gunner aces. It’s safe to say the show will not lack incredible sources to pull from.


A group of B-17s in formation. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Cary Fukunaga, the Emmy-winning director known for his work on the incredible first season of True Detective, announced on Instagram that he has signed on to direct the first three episodes of the 10-part series. 






For fans of Band of Brothers and The Pacific, Masters of the Air will be a great addition to the many powerful productions about America’s World War II contributions. Film fans can all be grateful Spielberg and Hanks have finally teamed up to finish their Greatest Generation trilogy. 


Read Next: A Non-Pilot Who Flew His Stricken Lancaster Home in World War II Leaves a Dying Wish



Mac Caltrider
Mac Caltrider

Mac Caltrider is a senior staff writer for Coffee or Die Magazine. He served in the US Marine Corps and is a former police officer. Caltrider earned his bachelor’s degree in history and now reads anything he can get his hands on. He is also the creator of Pipes & Pages, a site intended to increase readership among enlisted troops. Caltrider spends most of his time reading, writing, and waging a one-man war against premature hair loss.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway: Where America's March to Victory Began

The US Navy outwitted and outfought the Imperial Japanese Navy to secure victory in the do-or-die Battle of Midway.

ukraine russia stalemate
Ukraine Tries To End Stalemate; Russia Says It Repelled Attacks

Ukrainian forces were making a major effort to end months of a battlefield stalemate and punch throu...

dad
Mustaches, Short-Shorts, and MP5s: Rad Dad Operators

With Father’s Day rapidly approaching, take a look back at some of the raddest dads to ever walk the planet.

world war II vets utah beach
World War II Veterans Return to Utah Beach To Commemorate D-Day

Dozens of World War II veterans, mostly Americans and British, traveled to Normandy this week to mar...

Pastrana
Wounded Veterans Gather for an Epic Day at Pastranaland

Keeping up his family tradition, action sports legend Travis Pastrana hosted wounded veterans at his 65-acre ‘Pastranaland’ over Memorial Day weekend.

fort bragg fort liberty
Fort Bragg Drops Confederate Namesake for Fort Liberty

Fort Bragg shed its Confederate namesake Friday to become Fort Liberty in a ceremony some veterans s...

father's day
Father’s Day Gift Guide: Don’t Disappoint Your Dad … Again

It’s less than two weeks until Father’s Day, and last-minute gifts for Dad are harder to come by tha...

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
  • Request a Correction
  • Write for Us
  • General Inquiries
© 2023 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved