John Travolta\u2019s directorial debut, \u201cPropeller One-Way Night Coach,\u201d holds special sentimental value for the actor. <\/p>\n
Set to premiere on Apple TV+ on May 29, the movie follows a young airplane enthusiast as he embarks on a big trip in the skies.<\/p>\n
Based on Travolta\u2019s first flight as a child, and his 1997 book of the same name, \u201cPropeller One-Way Night Coach\u201d is a semi-autobiographical story for the 72-year-old, who makes his directorial debut with the movie. He also wrote and narrated<\/a> the project. <\/p>\n While appearing on TODAY on May 20, Travolta reflected as to why his first flight was so transformative.<\/p>\n \u201cMy sister Ellen gave me a Christmas present in a glove box. It was a ticket. It was on National Airlines to fly from Newark to Philadelphia. I thought it was just a used ticket to play with and I was elated,\u201d he told TODAY\u2019s Willie Geist. \u201cAnd then she said to me, \u2018We\u2019re going on Dec. 28.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n When a young Travolta heard that he was going to be flying on an airplane, he was ecstatic.<\/p>\n \u201cI almost went out of my body. I couldn\u2019t believe that this would come true,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Travolta said the moment inspired him to dream big. That\u2019s one of the messages he shares in the new movie. <\/p>\n \u201cJust when (the young boy in the movie) thinks life couldn\u2019t get better, it gets better,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd the whole movie is like an ascent of all these characters \u2014 not just the little boy \u2014 about resilience. And whatever happens, he looks at the glass half full and not half empty.\u201d<\/p>\n Willie then pointed out that Travolta, who has extensive experience piloting planes<\/a>, \u201cstarted an entire life in aviation\u201d due to the \u201cseed that was planted\u201d when he took his first flight. <\/p>\n \u201cExactly,\u201d Travolta agreed.<\/p>\n While describing the movie, the actor said it\u2019s an \u201chomage to cinema.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an homage to stars in the cinema, it\u2019s an homage to the masterpieces of music of the mid-century and an homage to my life, which was inspired by my family. And my whole family\u2019s in this movie<\/a>, and without them, I\u2019m not here,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Travolta continued, saying, \u201cThis is really a family and friends epic tale of what happens when you plant seeds early in life, what could happen.\u201d<\/p>\n