In writing the original drafts that formed the basis of the final screenplay, Tony Bill made an effort to incorporate the real-life adventures of a number of American World War I expatriates who served in both the Lafayette Escadrille and the Lafayette Flying Corps, although pseudonyms were used throughout [REF].
The casting of Franco in an action adventure feature at the time was considered a "stepping stone" to his rise as marquee player and movie star [REF].