Tristan Wilds will take a break from the manicured lawns of CW’s “Beverly Hills 90210″ and head toward the segregated setting of World War II combat in the drama “Red Tails.”

Written by John Ridley and directed by Anthony Hemingway, the film details the true story of the 332nd Fighter Group, an elite all-black unit of escort pilots known as the Red Tails.

According to Variety, Wilds will play Ray “Ray Gun” Knight, a flyboy nearly blinded over Nazi-occupied Italy who becomes the wingman of his friend and cohort, Marty. The two face the prejudice of the U.S. military as much as the overseas enemy but end up establishing an unprecedented record. George Lucas is an executive producer.

Wilds also appeared in the films “The Secret Life of Bees” and “Half Nelson.” He is best known for his recurring role on HBO’s “The Wire.”