Midway is a war film released on November 8, 2019. It is directed by Roland Emmerich, produced by Harald Kloser, and written by Wes Tooke. The film delves into the pivotal Battle of Midway during World War II and follows the WWII naval battle between the US and Japan.
The Battle of Midway began on June 4, 1942, with fierce combat and strategic maneuvers between the USA and Japan. The movie shows how intelligence and strategy changed the war.
Midway is considered one of the most expensive independent films of all time, with a production budget of $100 million. It is supported by an ensemble cast of Ed Skrein, Patrick Wilson, Luke Evans, Aaron Eckhart, Nick Jonas, and others.
Main cast list of Midway
Ed Skrein as Lieutenant Dick Best
Ed Skrein is a British actor who has been in Deadpool, Game of Thrones, and Alita: Battle Angel. In Midway, he acts as Lieutenant Dick Best, a dive bomber pilot in the US Navy who was very important in sinking two Japanese aircraft carriers during the Battle of Midway.
Patrick Wilson as Lieutenant Commander Edwin Layton
Lieutenant Commander Edwin Layton is played by the American actor Patrick Wilson. Patrick is known for his work in The Conjuring movies and Watchmen. In the Midway, Layton is a US rear admiral who is known for his important role in the Battle of Midway as an intelligence officer.
Luke Evans as Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky
Luke Evans, known for his performances in The Hobbit trilogy and Beauty and the Beast, stars as Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky. McClusky's strategic decisions were instrumental in the outcome of the Battle of Midway.
Before making his film debut in the 2010 remake of Clash of the Titans, Evans performed in stage productions like Rent and Miss Saigon. He also starred in Nine Perfect Strangers and Echo 3 and his debut album, At Last, was released in 2019.
Aaron Eckhart as Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle
Aaron Eckhart, famous for his role as Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight, plays Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle. Eckhart got a BFA in film from Brigham Young University in 1994.
His role as George in Erin Brockovich (2000) and Golden Globe nomination for Thank You for Smoking (2006) made him famous. In The Dark Knight (2008), Eckhart played Harvey Dent/Two-Face. He also appeared in Battle: Los Angeles and Olympus Has Fallen.
Nick Jonas as Aviation Machinist's Mate Bruno Gaido
Nick Jonas, a member of the Jonas Brothers and star of the Jumanji movies, portrays Aviation Machinist's Mate Bruno Gaido. Gaido's tragic story as a prisoner of war adds a poignant element to the film.
Nick Jonas is best known for his work with Disney Channel including the musicals like the Camp Rock franchise and the reality TV series Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream. He has worked on films like Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Careful What You Wish For, and The Good Half.
Dennis Quaid as Vice Admiral William "Bull" Halsey
Dennis Quaid, who has been in hit movies like The Right Stuff and Far from Heaven, plays Vice Admiral William "Bull" Halsey. In the US Navy, Halsey was one of the highest-ranking officers and was known for being very aggressive during the war.
Woody Harrelson as Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
Woody Harrelson, known for his roles in True Detective and No Country for Old Men, plays Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Nimitz was the commander-in-chief of the US Pacific Fleet, leading the naval forces during the Battle of Midway.
Mandy Moore as Anne Best
Mandy Moore, a singer and actress famous for The Princess Diaries, appears as Anne Best. Anne Best is the wife of Lieutenant Dick Best, adding a personal dimension to the narrative.
Supporting cast
The supporting cast of the film includes:
- Darren Criss as Lieutenant Commander Eugene Lindsey
- Alexander Ludwig as Lieutenant Roy Pearce
- Etsushi Toyokawa as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
- Tadanobu Asano as Rear Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi
- Jun Kunimura as Vice Admiral Chūichi Nagumo
Production and direction
Roland Emmerich, a veteran of large-scale war films, directed the movie. One of the most expensive independent films, it raised $100 million after facing funding challenges. The Pacific Theater was filmed in Hawaii and Montreal to show its size. The film recreates battle scenes and uses impressive visual effects to depict historical events accurately.
Midway is currently streaming on Prime Video.