John Woo preps 'Flying Tigers' for IMAX

Director John Woo is reportedly prepping to release his upcoming war movie Flying Tigers in the IMAX format.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Woo is working with Creative Artists Agency and IMAX on the film, which will feature epic aerial battles.

The picture centres on US Army Air Corp Lt Gen Claire Lee Chennault, an American officer whose Flying Tigers squadron trained the first generation of Chinese fighter pilots during WWII.

Woo said that he hopes to cast Liam Neeson in the lead role of Chennault.

"It's got to be a star but it's hard to find the right one, because at that time Chennault was almost 50 years old. Ideally, I've been thinking of Liam Neeson as the title actor," Woo said.

Flying Tigers is currently in pre-production. Shooting will begin in the spring for a planned 2011 release.