Aaron McGruder is known for his laugh-out-loud, yet very much controversial, take on Black culture in The Boondocks. But his writing talents don’t stop at the formerly syndicated comic strip or NAACP nominated series– they’re hitting the big screen.
In an interview with The Daily Beast, McGruder reveals he was called on by famed director George Lucas to co-write the Tuskegee Airmen story, Red Tails.
“About two years ago I got a call from my agent asking if I wanted to meet with Lucas to talk about the script,’’ he said. “I was like, ‘Yes I would!’ I’m a Stars Wars guy and also the son of a military pilot, so it was the best of both worlds for me to do a project like this.”
The 37-year-old cartoonist says his biggest contribution to the project was making it more of an action-hero type film and that he wants teenage boys to leave in awe.
“That was my biggest contribution to the project, making it more of an action-hero type film. I used my comic strip experience to make the script have a faster pace. There have been other movies on the Tuskegee Airmen, so I wanted to make sure the audience had a different view of these men and some give them a different story. I think George wanted to strike a balance between the history of their story and action. We did both, which means this film has something for older people who know the story, and younger people who aren’t so familiar with the story and like action. [...] I want teenage boys to come to this movie and see real heroes they can relate to,’’ said Lucas. “I want them to leave this film inspired.’’
Red Tails opens in theaters nationwide today.