Ben Affleck not only directs, but also plays Phil Knight, the founder of Nike.
(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)The only thing better than a sports movie, is a sports movie that is "based on a true story." We get one on April 7th when the new movie AIR hits theaters. The movie reunites Ben Affleck an Matt Damon for the first time since "The Last Duel" in 2021. The duo have great chemistry on screen, having grown up together and been making movies together for almost 30 years.
AIR focuses on the birth of the Air Jordan brand. How Nike courted Michael Jordan away from their main competition (Adidas and Converse) and how close Nike was to actually shutting down the basketball division all together. Ben Affleck directs this movie and also plays Nike's founder Phil Knight. Knight hired basketball savant Sonny Vaccaro to head up talent for Nike's basketball division.
Before Michael Jordan, Nike had failed to truly carve out a foothold in the basketball shoe market. Vaccaro had pioneered the high school basketball camps, which had been very successful, but Nike had yet to see the fruits of Vaccaro's labor.
But along with Vaccaro, a slew of Nike execs decided to court Michael Jordan and try and make him the face of Nike. Learn about the main cast of who plays who! Just scroll below!
Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for SXSW)Matt Damon plays one of the pioneers of basketball shoes, Sonny Vaccaro. The man who fought for Nike to sign Michael Jordan.
Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan
(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)Viola Davis plays Deloris Jordan. Michael's mom and, for all intents and purposes, his business manager.
Jason Batemen as Rob Strasser
(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)Batmen plays Rob Strasser. A NIke exec and one of the key executives in the marketing department.
Chris Messina As David Faulk
(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)Chris Messina plays Michael Jordan's Agent David Faulk. A very arrogant, cocky man.
Chris Tucker As Howard White
(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)Chris Tucker plays Nike relations executive Howard White. A man who became instrumental in the relationship between Jordan and Nike.
Damian Delano Young as Michael Jordan
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Jordan BrandDamian Delano Young plays Michael Jordan. Young is such an unknown that I couldnt find a picture of him which is fitting because you never see his face in the movie.
Julius Tennon as James Jordan
(Photo by Matt Sayles/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images)Julius Tennon (right) as Michael's father, James Jordan. An instrumental figure in Michael's life.
Matthew Maher as Peter Moore
(Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)Matthew Maher plays Peter Moore. The man who designed the Jordan shoe.
Ben Affleck as Phil knight
(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)Ben Affleck not only directs, but also plays Phil Knight, the founder of Nike.
