5 Things to Know about the Movie "AIR"
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By Stadium Goods |5 Things to Know about the Movie "AIR"
Five facts for sneaker collectors to know about “Air.”
Matt DeSciora
When one chapter ends, another takes the story back to the beginning.
Three years after “The Last Dance” docu-series chronicled Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls in 1997-98, a new movie called “Air” is set to be released this spring that details the events that led to Nike signing Jordan to an endorsement deal before his rookie season in 1984. Just like “The Last Dance,” “Air” promises to bring back plenty of nostalgic memories of basketball and sneaker culture’s glory days.
Whereas “The Last Dance” starred Jordan and his former Bulls teammates, “Air” does not, but the film did have Jordan’s blessing. Instead, a host of Hollywood’s most recognizable names star up-and-down the film, including Ben Affleck as Nike founder Phil Knight, Matt Damon as Nike salesman Sonny Vaccaro, Viola Davis as Jordan’s mother, and Damian Delano Young as Jordan. Of course, with “Air” being centered around Nike’s recruitment of Jordan, the shoe that made the relationship possible is featured prominently in the movie: the Air Jordan 1.
“Air” promises to be one of the year’s most memorable films, as it has received rave reviews by critics. One publication called it, “This generation’s Jerry Maguire.” Another said, “‘Air” is a slam dunk and ultimately one of the best sports movies ever made. It’s truly a film about legends made by legends.” Here’s five things you should know about “Air” before it opens in theaters on April 5th.
The Cast of “Air”
The film is directed by Ben Affleck, who also stars as Nike founder Phil Knight. One of the people who Affleck, as Knight, interacts with the most in “Air” is Matt Damon, who plays Sonny Vaccaro, a former sports marketer at Nike credited for helping bring Jordan to the brand. Other notable actors include Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Nike’s former Director of Marketing; Chris Tucker as Howard White, the now Vice President of Jordan Brand who in 1984 served in a myriad of roles with Nike; Chris Messina as David Falk, Michael Jordan’s then-agent; Viola Davis (Jordan requested that the Oscar winner play the role of Deloris, his mother) and her real-life husband Julius Tennon as Jordan’s parents and, finally, Damian Delano Young as Jordan.
Speaking of Young and Jordan, what you’re about to hear next may be a bit surprising as it pertains to their roles in “Air.”
Michael Jordan Doesn’t Actually Appear in “Air”
Yes, it’s true. Michael Jordan doesn’t actually appear as himself in “Air.” The only time Jordan’s face is shown in “Air” is during archival footage that is spliced into the movie. He was, however, consulted by Affleck before the latter began putting the pieces of the film together, so “Air” does have MJ’s stamp of approval. Moreover, Young, who plays a young Jordan fresh out of the University of North Carolina, isn’t featured all that much in “Air.” Throughout the film, Young, as Jordan, is only ever shown from behind. The reason for this is, according to Affleck, “The one sure way to ruin the movie and have the audience understand that the whole thing is a fraud is point the camera at anybody that’s not Michael Jordan and say, “Hey, that’s Michael Jordan! Because all of a sudden, they’re like, ‘This is the knockoff Michael Jordan! ‘He’s too famous, and I like him being the guy above it.” Interesting stuff.
Expect Historical Inaccuracies
Like any movie inspired by true events, “Air” is not without a few historical inaccuracies. But that doesn’t necessarily take away from its greatness. The first inaccuracy of note is the fact that a Jumpman logo flashes in the trailer of the movie. The logo didn’t actually exist before Jordan signed with Nike in 1984—it wasn’t until the Air Jordan 3 that the logo was designed. Secondly, the Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” is perceived to be the original Jordan 1 colorway in “Air,” but that simply isn’t true. By all historical accounts, the Jordan 1 “Bred” was actually the first sample colorway of the shoe from way back when. Again, these are just footnotes and don’t detract from the movie, but are nonetheless worthy of mentioning.
“Air” Isn’t Officially Endorsed by Nike
As we mentioned above, Ben Affleck did not seek Nike’s approval for “Air”—only Michael Jordan’s. Indeed, “Air” is based on the very true story of Nike trying to sign Jordan to an endorsement deal, but it is not an authorized biopic of Jordan, Knight, or anybody else. According to Affleck, with books and documentaries being prevalent, he didn’t feel the need to consult with or involve Nike in the film. Says Affleck to Hollywood Reporter, “I did not have a conversation with Nike because I didn’t feel the same sense of personal responsibility [as I did to Michael Jordan] because it’s not a history of Nike. There’s interviews and books about that.”
Air Jordan 1 High “Chicago - Lost and Found”
Sneakers in “Air”
It goes without saying that, in a movie about a sneaker company, you can expect to see a cool assortment of shoes. Of course, the Air Jordan 1 will be featured prominently in the film as it is the first signature shoe that Nike created for Jordan. But you can almost guarantee that you are going to see plenty of other great, retro sneakers in “Air.” In the movie’s trailer, shoes like the Nike Waffle Racer, Nike Cortez, and more make an appearance. It isn’t out of the question that the Nike Air Ship will at least make a cameo, too, as it was actually the first Nike sneaker Jordan wore with the Chicago Bulls. Other vintage basketball shoes that may pop up in “Air” include the Nike Terminator, Nike Air Force 1, Nike Dunk, Converse Chuck Taylor All Star, and maybe even the Converse Weapon, which was the signature shoe of both Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, the two biggest stars in basketball in the mid-1980s.
“Air” Opens in Theaters on April 5th. Check your local listings for showtimes.
Sources:
https://www.indiewire.com/2023/03/ben-affleck-air-nike-michael-jordan-approval-1234820793/
https://www.indiewire.com/2023/03/michael-jordan-doesnt-appear-air-movie-1234821292/