The incoming $300 million spiritual sequel to a pair of the greatest TV shows of all-time has an awful lot to live up to

When you see a World War II miniseries carrying a blockbuster-sized budget that boasts Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks as executive producers, then it’s understandable for expectations to begin heading straight through the roof, which instantly places immense pressure on Masters of the Air.

After all, not only did the award-laden and widely acclaimed icons of their respective fields collaborate on one of the greatest war epics in cinematic history when Saving Private Ryan secured instant classic status a quarter of a century ago, but HBO’s Band of Brothers and The Pacific are both widely regarded as all-time small screen greats.

That’s pressure enough as it is, never mind the fact Masters of the Air is reported to have cost almost as much as the aforementioned titans combined, with various delays and pandemic-related circumstances pushing the budget up to what’s said to be a figure as high as $300 million.

Having been radio silent for almost two years since filming wrapped in the summer of 2021, Masters of the Air seemingly shrugged off the cobwebs and settled on a September 20 debut on Apple TV, which comes across as strange considering there’s been no teasers, trailers, or any an official indication from the streaming service as to whether or not it’s even true.

Regardless of when the end product does eventually arrive on screens, though, the Hanks/Spielberg connection will immediately place it under the microscope and invite comparisons to both Band of Brothers and The Pacific, although the jury remains out on Masters of the Air being able to enter such rarefied air given its troubled history.