Nike’s collaboration with Michael Jordan on the iconic Air Jordan sneakers is the stuff of legend, and its tale is now being brought to the big screen. The highly-anticipated film, Air, releases its first trailer on Thursday, reuniting co-stars and directors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who previously collaborated on Good Will Hunting and The Last Duel.
In Air, Damon stars as Sonny Vaccaro, a bold Nike marketing executive who places his career on the line by betting on an unknown rookie named Michael Jordan. The trailer hints at a thrilling journey, but also highlights Vaccaro’s eventual triumph, with plenty of humor at the expense of those who doubted the success of Jordan or the shoes he inspired.
Joining Damon in the film are a talented ensemble cast, including Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker, Marlon Wayans, and Viola Davis, who plays Jordan’s mother, Deloris. While the trailer offers glimpses of a younger Michael Jordan, it remains unclear just how much screen time he will receive in the film. Air appears to focus on the behind-the-scenes drama of contracts and shoe design, suggesting that Jordan’s role in the story may be limited.
Air arrives in theaters on April 5, offering a unique perspective on one of the most famous and lucrative collaborations in the world.
