Tom Hudner: Last News

Welcome to another episode of the Scene 2 Scene podcast! It’s Valerie Complex with an exciting new episode where I chat with Devotion director JD Dillard.

Peter Debruge Chief Film Critic African American boxing champ Muhammad Ali famously refused to fight for his country, justifying himself with the oft-quoted quip, “No Viet Cong ever called me n—–.” That’s one-half of American history, and an important one. “Devotion” tells the other, presenting the story of a Black pilot so determined to defend — and die for, if need be — the United States that he was willing to endure institutional bigotry to become the Jackie Robinson of the skies: Jesse Brown, the first aviator of color to complete the Navy’s basic training program. A square but satisfying social justice drama set against the backdrop of the Korean War, “Devotion” impressed on the biggest screen possible at the Toronto Film Festival two months before its Nov. 23 theatrical release. Featuring elements of both “Green Book” and “Red Tails,” the film is more than just a stirring case of Black exceptionalism; it also celebrates the one white officer who had Brown’s back, Tom Hudner, treating the bond these two men formed as something exceptional unto itself. Director JD Dillard dazzles with see-it-in-Imax airborne sequences, but the meat of the film focuses on the friendship between Brown (“Da 5 Bloods” star Jonathan Majors) and his white wingman, played by Glen Powell, the “Hidden Figures” actor who most recently appeared in “Top Gun: Maverick.”

Director  JD Dillard says he grew up hearing all about his own father’s  experiences as the second African American Blues Angels pilot, so naturally when Adam Makos’ book, Devotion came out he was instantly intrigued about adapting to the screen. The book tells the story of the friendship and, yes, devotion (where the title comes from in part) of two elite US Navy fighter pilots who made a big difference in one of the Korean War’s most intense battles in the early 1950’s.  But the story has great significance as it really tells the extraordinary tale of Jesse Brown who became the first Black  aviator in Navy history, and together with his unique friendship and working relationship with Tom Hudner the pair became legend as authentic Navy wingmen heroes.

Jonathan Majors jokes around with Glen Powell during a military event in the new trailer for their upcoming movie, Devotion.

Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell are taking off in the official trailer for “Devotion,” the new drama set to release this Thanksgiving.Based on the nonfiction book by Adam Makos, “Devotion” focuses on the military careers of Jesse Brown (Majors) and Tom Hudner (Powell), two elite Navy fighter pilots who served during the Korean War. In spite of the racism that Brown experiences as one of the first Black aviators, he forms a close camaraderie with the white Hudner, and the two go on to work together as wingmen in several battles, including the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.Along with Majors and Powell, “Devotion” also stars Christina Jackson, Joe Jonas and Thomas Sadoski. J.D.

EXCLUSIVE: Serinda Swan is set to play a young Elizabeth Taylor in Black Label Media’s war movie Devotion, which also stars Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell and Christina Jackson. Joe Jonas and Thomas Sadorski were also recently set to join the cast. Sleight director J.D. Dillard will direct.

Joe Jonas is ready to make his dramatic film debut!The performer announced on Tuesday that he would be joining stars Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell and Thomas Sadoski in the upcoming war film, sharing s article about his casting and writing, «Let’s get it!!! Can’t wait to start filming ✈️ #Devotion @glenpowell @jgdillard.» centers on the real-life story of Jesse LeRoy Brown and Tom Hudner — played by Majors and Powell, respectively -- two “elite U.S. Navy fighter pilots who form a firm friendship” while serving their country in the years leading up to the Cold War.

Joe Jonas is returning to acting in the upcoming war film Devotion, Deadline reports!

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s some hot casting. Joe Jonas and Thomas Sadoski (John Wick) are joining the cast of big-budget war movie Devotion, which is due to get underway next month in the state of Georgia.

EXCLUSIVE: The Good Fight and Outsiders actress Christina Jackson has been cast as the female lead in big-budget war movie Devotion, which is due to get underway next month in the state of Georgia.

Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell have signed on to star in a Korean War movie called Devotion, according to Deadline.