Ben Affleck reunites with Matt Damon in ‘Air’, the story behind the famous Nike Air Jordan. Affleck, who won an Academy Award for ‘Argo’ (Best Motion Picture) and ‘Good Will Hunting‘ (Best Original Screenplay) will direct the film. While the duo have acted on screen together, this will be the first time Affleck will direct longtime friend and collaborator, Matt Damon.
‘Air’ features an all-star cast, with Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Matt Damon as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. Additional cast includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Gustaf Skarsgård as Horst Dassler, and Julius Tennon as James Jordan.
We first learned the news this film in April of 2022, with the project unnamed at the time. With this new trailer, we now have a better idea of what the movie is about.
Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in ‘Air.’ Photo: Courtesy of Amazon Studios. © Amazon Content Services LLC.
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What Is ‘Air’ About?
Inspired by true events, ‘Air’ reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then-rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand. This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time
Academy-Award winner Viola Davis (‘The Woman King‘) will play Deloris Jordan, Michael’s mother, who was a a fierce advocate for her son, was instrumental in negotiating this unprecedented deal, and was committed to ensure her son’s legacy.
(L to R) Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in ‘Air.’ Photo: Courtesy of Amazon Studios. © Amazon Content Services LLC.
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In the trailer, Sonny Vaccaro suggests the sports brand build a shoe collection around Michael Jordan, who was a rookie at the time. Not wanting to risk hearing no from Jordan’s parents, Vaccaro shows up their home to convince them of the partnership. Back in 1984, Nike was playing second to Converse and was nowhere near as prominent as it is today. “There’s nothing cool about Nike.” said George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) in the trailer. Determined to make this work, Vaccaro sets out to make the “greatest basketball shoe that’s ever been made”.
This story has yet to be told on the big screen, and it is likely to drive Michael Jordan fans and sneakerheads alike to the theater to see how Air Jordan came to be.
(L to R) Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser in ‘Air.’ Photo: Ana Carballosa. © Amazon Content Services LLC.
Chris Tucker as Howard White in ‘Air.’ Photo: Courtesy of Amazon Studios. © Amazon Content Services LLC.
Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in ‘Air.’ Photo: Courtesy of Amazon Studios. © Amazon Content Services LLC.
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Where to Watch: ‘Air’
‘Air’ is produced by David Ellison, Jesse Sisgold, Jon Weinbach, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Madison Ainley, Jeff Robinov, Peter Guber, and Jason Michael Berman. It is set to release exclusive in theaters on April 5, 2023.
Author: Wendy Lee Szany
