Redtails movie scores high at the box office in states.

*The George Lucas directed film 'Red Tails,' starring Ne-Yo, Terrence Howard, Method Man, Cuba Gooding Jr. and more, has exceeded expectations at the weekend box office.

Following a strong 'A' from Cinema Score, the film, chronicling the Tuskegee Airmen, brought in $19.1 million according to figures released Sunday morning.

Stronger than expected, the total gives 'Red Tails' a no.2 debut at the weekend box office. That makes the gamble Lucas took, bringing the film to the big screen, one worth taking.

As widely reported, Lucas (Star Wars) funded the film with an all-African-American-cast on his own dime, putting $58 million alone into production. He then spent another $35 million to distribute 'Red Tails,' despite facing opposition from Hollywood.

Red Tails has received support from celebrities, beyond those starring in the film, throughout the weekend. Among them, Kelly Rowland and Snoop Dogg telling their followers on Twitter to support the movie. Earlier in the week, Tyler Perry championed the film also, penning an open letter.

"For him to believe so strongly in this story is amazing," Perry said of Lucas. "I think we should pull together and get behind this movie. I really do! Not just African Americans, but all of us. I have seen the movie and screened it here in Atlanta. I loved it and I think you will too. The Tuskegee Airmen, who were at the screening, were so happy that somebody is telling a small part of their story. Please take your kids, you will enjoy it and so will they. There is a lot of action and adventure and also a great history lesson to be learned."

Ne-Yo also reached out Friday, gifting 200 tickets to see Red Tails in New York.

David Oyelowo, Elijah Kelley, Michael B. Jordan, Leslie Odom Jr., Marcus T. Paulk, Nate Parker, Tristan Wilds, and Andre Royo also star in 'Red Tails'.


Redtails movie scores high at the box office in states.

George Lucas Bets Big ($93 Million) on 'Red Tails'

(Wall Street Journal) - George Lucas is betting $93 million of his own money that his new movie "Red Tails" will be a hit.

The creator of "Star Wars" reached into his own deep pockets to bankroll the new action movie about African-American pilots in World War II, spending $58 million to make it and $35 million more to distribute the film. Lucas serves as its executive producer.

Even for someone as rich as Lucas, $93 million is a huge wager to place on a single film. "Red Tails" is set for release on Jan. 20, 2012, so unless it schedules some advance official screenings, it will miss much of the lucrative holiday film-going season and will not be eligible for Oscar consideration.

Lucas has a long track record of blockbuster success that includes the "Star Wars" franchise, the Indiana Jones movies, and "American Graffiti."

People who worked on "Red Tails" say the action sequences evoke "Star Wars" -- an association that can only help the movie's box office prospects.

A crew of African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program, having faced segregation while kept mostly on the ground during World War II, are called into duty, the cast features...

	Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Major Emanuelle Stance
	Terrence Howard	...	Col. A.J. Bullard

	Ne-Yo	...	Andrew 'Smoky' Salem
	Method Man	...	Sticks
	Aml Ameen	...	Bag O Bones

Through a spokesperson, Lucas said he was drawn to the subject because he wanted to make an action film about young men who were thrust into an incredible situation and, against the odds, proved to be great pilots as well as heroes.

Anthony Hemingway, Lucas' handpicked director for "Red Tails," said the film's Jan. 20 release date could help bring in viewers looking to do something cultural around the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Read more: George Lucas Bets Big on 'Red Tails'