Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have shared the screen numerous times, since even before their Oscar-winning drama Good Will Hunting was released in 1997. But Damon had never been directed by Affleck until they collaborated on Air, a movie about the Nike execs who brought the Air Jordan to market in 1984.
“It felt really natural because we’ve worked together before. We’ve written together, and we’ve been acting together since 1986,” said Damon at the Air premiere in Los Angeles on Monday. “Because we have known each other for so long, I’m very used to creative problem-solving with him. If one of us comes up with a terrible idea, we will say it. Your feelings aren’t hurt. There’s always respect, and we move on to the next idea. But—I mean, to nobody’s surprise—he’s a brilliant director. He’s just absolutely great, and I can’t wait to do it again. He’s my ride or die as a friend and creative partner.”
Affleck, in turn, praised Damon. “It was a joy. I love Matt. He’s my best friend. To be able to work with him is something that I don’t take for granted,” said the two-time Oscar winner on the red carpet. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Air, which will be released in theaters on April 5, tells the story of Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), who, in the 1980s, was in charge of Nike’s fledgling basketball division. At the time, Nike had fallen behind its competitors Adidas and Converse. But, in 1984, Vaccaro bet the department’s entire annual budget on a sponsorship deal with then 21-year-old Chicago Bulls rookie Michael Jordan.
Damon had the opportunity to meet with the real Vaccaro, both on and off the set. “He’s just got the most lovely, infectious kind of charm, and that’s what I was trying to put onscreen. I was really trying to capture his spirit,” Damon said. “He really was an advocate for the players, and he’s just a very genuine person. He’s such a sweet guy.”
As the film shows, Vaccaro immediately saw greatness in Jordan—and was willing to risk his career and the whole Nike corporation on his bet. But how did he stay positive when other people in the company doubted him? “I had this feeling inside of me from watching his games,” said the 83-year-old Vaccaro on the red carpet. “You can’t be ashamed or afraid to talk about your beliefs even when others don’t agree with you.”
Before he agreed to direct the movie, Affleck consulted with Jordan himself. And though Affleck got Jordan’s blessing, there were some stipulations. The basketball star wanted Nike executive Howard White, who would become vice president of the Jordan Brand, and former college basketball coach George Raveling to be included in the story. Chris Tucker wound up playing White, and Marlon Wayans portrays Raveling.
“This story shows that the smallest choices can lead to the most iconic things,” Wayans said. “And the movie really is about following your instincts. Just don’t accept no for an answer.”
Jordan’s other request was to hire Viola Davis to play his mother, Deloris Jordan, who was instrumental in persuading Jordan to sign with Nike instead of Adidas. She also knew the worth of her son’s immense talent and convinced Nike to pay him a certain percentage of every Air Jordan shoe sold—ultimately changing the rules on how athletes are compensated from endorsement deals.
“Wanting to be recognized and properly compensated for your value is the main theme of the movie,” said Jason Bateman, who plays Nike vice president of marketing Rob Strasser in Air. “Deloris Jordan, what she did for her son—carving out this great deal and putting her foot down—really moved me.”
Though many may assume Air is about Jordan himself, the movie is actually about the people who supported Jordan. “This is not the Michael Jordan story. He wasn’t compensated for his rights. This is a story about the people around him,” said Affleck, who arrived at the premiere with his wife, Jennifer Lopez. “He’s actually not even in it because I thought it would be too difficult for the audience to believe that anyone other than Michael Jordan was Michael Jordan. I want to let the audience invoke their own memories and experiences of what Michael Jordan means to them.”
Affleck hopes audiences will leave the theater feeling happy and inspired. “It’s an optimistic movie. It’s a story that I find really beautiful. It’s about taking risks and about exceptional greatness that can inspire all of us to think maybe I can do something difficult,” he said. “It’s the kind of movie that I like. I like to see character-driven stories that hinge on the performances and the writing. I want to do more movies like this.”
