Blue Angels Will Star in Documentary from 'Star Wars' Director

The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron will be the star of a new documentary produced by legendary Hollywood director J.J. Abrams. "The Blue Angels," which promises to chronicle a year in the life of the team, is set to be released in IMAX theaters in late 2023.

Formed in 1946, the Blue Angels have spent decades as goodwill ambassadors for the Navy, performing spectacular aerobatic feats in popular shows the world over.

Abrams is one of the most prolific creative forces in movies and television. He's the only person to make the "Star Trek"/"Star Wars" crossover as director of the 2009 "Star Trek" reboot, "Star Trek Into Darkness," "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" and "Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker." Abrams also directed "Mission: Impossible III" and produced the television series "Lost," "Alias," "Fringe," "Person of Interest," "Westworld," "Lovecraft Country" and "Challenger: The Final Flight."

The film will be directed and edited by Paul Crowder, a musician-turned-filmmaker who co-directed and edited "Once in a Lifetime," the amazing documentary about the New York Cosmos pro soccer team in the 1970s. He's also edited some classic documentaries, including skateboarding movie "Dogtown and Z-Boys," Dave Grohl's recording studio tribute "Sound City" and Ron Howard's "The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years."

Actor Glen Powell, a military movie enthusiast, has also signed on to produce. "I made two naval aviation films back-to-back, lived on bases among our men and women in uniform, and learned firsthand what it takes for them to be the best of the best," Powell said in a press release. “After flying with the Blue Angels in an air show, I saw an incredible opportunity to make a world-class documentary."

Powell will appear as Hangman in the long-delayed sequel "Top Gun: Maverick" and will play Navy aviator Tom Hudner in "Devotion," a Korean War movie based on the real-life friendship between Hudner and fellow aviator Jesse Brown. Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor for his efforts to rescue Brown after Brown's plane was shot down near the Chosin Reservoir.

Related: One of the Korean War's Most Moving Stories Now Set for a Hollywood Movie

Fans of the iconic blue and yellow F/A-18 Super Hornets will be pleased to know that "The Blue Angels" will mark the first time the planes have been filmed in IMAX. We'll have news about the release date when it becomes available.

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