George Lucas will not helm 'Red Tails'

George Lucas's production company has denied rumours that he will helm new movie Red Tails.

The film, which is currently in pre-production, tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen who battled racism while escorting thousands of US bombers in World War II.

Lucas will serve as executive producer on the project, not as director as has been suggested, said a Lucasfilm spokesman.

John Ridley, whose previous writing credits include TV shows Barbershop and Third Watch, is working on the script.

The movie is scheduled to begin filming by the end of this year or early next year.