Austin Butler and Callum Turner jump into action as they prepare for their roles as World War II pilots in the new miniseries Masters of the Air.
Butler and Turner played real-life commanders of the U.S. Army Air Forces' 100th Bomb Group in the Apple+ war drama created by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Gary Goetzman. In an interview with FOX News Digital, the actors explained that the cast members who played the aviators underwent rigorous training prior to filming.
“We were really lucky to have this two-week bootcamp right after we started,” Butler, 32, recalls. “And it was a great way for us to build a foundation as a team, all of us as brothers.”
Austin Butler recalled the intense training he and his co-stars underwent to play World War II pilots in Masters of the Air. (Apple+)
During boot camp, the actors take a World War II history lesson, are trained by pilots, learn basic military techniques, undergo physical training, and learn how to fly the B-17 bomber that their characters fly. Now I can describe the method accurately.
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“It was really believable because we had the history of that world and World War II and all of the technical aspects of being in a B-17 and the specific role we were playing. It was like nothing,” Butler said.
“We were pilots,” he said of himself and Turner. “So we spent time in the cockpit with the pilots learning everything we could about the B-17, and…that time was really essential. In addition to deaf individual work, that means' our characters, reading, seeing, and all the things we can do. ”
WATCH: 'Masters of the Air' star Callum Turner on honor of playing real World War II fighter pilot: 'They're superheroes'
According to the synopsis for Masters of the Air, the series follows airmen who “risk their lives with the 100th Bomb Wing, a brotherhood built on courage, loss, and victory.”
“During World War II, eight miles above the ground and behind enemy lines, 10 men in a bomber known as the “Flying Fortress'' battled an unrelenting swarm of German fighter planes. ”
On the show, Butler plays Gail “Buck” Winston Kleven, and Turner plays Kleven's best friend, Major John “Bucky” Egan. After attending flight school together, Kleven and Egan were assigned to the 100th Bomb Group. This group was later nicknamed the “Bloody Hundred” due to its high casualty rate.
Austin Butler and Callum Turner star as real-life commanders of the U.S. Army Air Forces' 100th Bomb Group in the Apple+ war drama. (Apple+)
Turner told Fox News Digital that his research for the role included watching World War II movies and documentaries.
“There's a lot of information out there, including documentaries,” he said. “Someone I thought I really liked was Frank Capra and him and John Huston. They, and I think Billy Wilder as well, they did documentaries about war for the Army and the government. And I thought those were really interesting.''You know, some of the greatest filmmakers of all time. ”
“The only other movies I've seen are from that period, like 'Best Years of Our Lives.' 'Battle of Algiers' is my favorite movie, and I've watched it over and over again just to get a feel and an emotion,” Turner said. continued. “And our characters, in the midst of this, we have two guys who love each other and are best buddies and are fighting the good fight the way they know how.”
The show was produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Gary Goetzman. (Apple+)
“And because they joined before the attack on Pearl Harbor, they had a certain kind of steel in them, a determination to stand up against evil and to rise up in the face of adversity and help the world.” he added. “And they did.”
“They're real heroes. They're superheroes. And I'm so grateful to them. And we both want to represent them and continue their stories and shine a light on their legacies.” I know that you feel very honored to win the award.”
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Butler and Turned opened up about what they learned about each other after playing war heroes and best friends.
Video: 'Masters of the Air' co-stars Austin Butler and Callum Turner talk about what they learned about each other while filming
“Callum, I mean, he’s here, he’s going to blow smoke,” Butler said with a laugh. “But he's just one of the greatest men. He has a very noble heart.”
The “Elvis” star continued, “He has this 'rising tide lifts all boats' mentality, right?”
“This is true,” Turner added with a laugh. “He works really hard. He's a hard worker, funny and a kind person.”
Butler and Turner's characters were real-life best friends and war heroes. (Apple+)
“Sometimes I don't get the jokes,” Turner joked.
“Sometimes it doesn't land,” Butler said with a laugh.
“And, look, Austin — I met Austin and fell in love with him right away. He's a great actor and a beautiful human being. And I've learned a lot with him as a man and as an actor. And I loved it.'' I really loved traveling with him. ”
The actors revealed that they formed a strong bond during filming. (Apple+)
Butler and Turner told Fox News Digital that after their experience filming “Masters of the Air,” they wanted to fly in an airplane for real.
“It's so dreamy,” Butler added.
The series is based on Donald L. Miller's best-selling 2007 book, Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany, and stars Barry Keoghan, Anthony Boyle, David Shields, Ben Radcliffe and Rafferty Law also star. , Edward Ashley, Elliott Warren, Nate Mann, Darragh Cowley.
WATCH: 'Masters of the Air' producer Gary Goetzman details actors' military training for miniseries
“Masters of the Air” is a sister series to the 2001 show “Band of Brothers” and 2010's “The Pacific,” also produced by Hanks, Spielberg and Goetzman.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Goetzman recalled how technical advisor Captain Dale Dye helped prepare the cast to play World War II soldiers.
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Mr. Dye is president of Warriors, a company that specializes in providing technical advice on realistic military depictions for Hollywood projects. The Vietnam War veteran has previously worked with Spielberg, Hanks and Gatesman on “Band of Brothers'' and “The Pacific.''
The actors went through a two-week boot camp for “Masters of the Air.” (Apple+)
“Captain Dale Dye appeared, as they always do on these shows. And if you're like, 'Oh, we don't have to do boot camp with Dale Dye on this show. “If you say, 'It's on the air in time,' the actors will revolt,” he said.
WATCH: 'Masters of the Air' star Austin Butler trains with B-17 pilot for World War II miniseries
He continued, “They want boot camp, which they've heard so much about. So, you know, of course we will do that. Captain Dye is our military advisor and will be with us all the way along with a few of his subordinates.'' They were always trained by the B-17 pilots who were with them throughout filming.”
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Vietnam veteran Captain Dale Dye served as the program's military advisor. (Apple+)
“The scheming as a road crew, the maintenance, all the stuff they were doing. We had official people who really knew how to train the boys for the game, and the boys insisted on it. You know, they want it.”
“They're really enthused that they really know who they're supposed to be, which is pretty cool,” he added. “I really love the cast.”
“Masters of the Air” will be available to stream on Apple+ on January 26th.
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