Bruce Willis and Channing Tatum have signed on to star in Oliver Stone's PINKVILLE, which will return the director to the Vietnam War. The film will tell the story of the My Lai Massacre in which somewhere between 340 and 500 Vietnamese civilians were killed by members of US Charlie Company. Tatum will play helicopter pilot Hugh Thompson who flew over the area, saw the bloodbath and landed to try and help the innocent victims. He told his crew to fire on the US soldiers if they interfered with their rescue mission. Willis will play Army General William R. Peers who supervised the investigation into the massacre. Not only will PINKVILLE be Stone's fourth Vietnam film (after PLATOON, HEAVEN AND EARTH and BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY) but it will also reunite him with Tom Cruise who will produce the film at his United Artists studio. The title PINKVILLE refers to the nickname of My Lai, which, along with other urban areas, was colored pink on the Army map. Filming on the project is expected to begin next year with a budget of $40 million. Willis recently wrapped filming on ASSASSINATION OF A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL with daughter Rumer and Tatum has another war drama, STOP LOSS, due for release later this year.
Extra Tidbit:
Lt. William Calley was convicted of murdering 22 civilians and was sentenced to life in prison. He served 3½ years of house arrest before being released.
