Ben AffleckandMatt Damonhave re-teamed for a sports drama.The pair star in the first trailer forAIR, which is based on a true story and marks Affleck’s first time directing since 2016’sLive By Night. It’s the first film from Affleck and Damon’snew production company Artists Equity.In it, Affleck, 50, plays Philip Knight, the co-founder of Nike, Inc., and Damon, 52, stars as Sonny Vaccaro, the sports marketing exec who helped signMichael Jordanto Nike and launch Air Jordan sneakers.Viola Davisis Jordan’s mom Deloris in the film, and Davis’s real-life husbandJulius Tennonplaysthe NBA star’s dad James.Airalso stars Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Marlon Wayans, Chris Tucker and Gustaf Skarsgård.“AIRreveals 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,” an official synopsis reads. “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.“Ben Affleck inAIR(2023).COURTESY OF AMAZON STUDIOSNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Affleck and Damonwon the Best Original Screenplay Oscarback in 1998 for writingGood Will Huntingtogether, which they also starred in. Affleck has directed films likeThe TownandArgo, which won Best Picture in 2013. Damon and Affleck recently co-starred together in 2021’sThe Last Duel.“Matt and I are very excited for audiences to see Air and proud that it’s the first release from Artists Equity,” Affleck said in a January statement, perVariety. “The movie was an extraordinary experience where we had the honor of working with some of the best cast and crew in the business, all of whom brought passion, persistence and creativity to a collective effort at recreating a remarkable and aspirational story.““I appreciate and value Jen Salke’s faith in our ability to execute on and deliver a movie we are proud of, as well as her and Sue Kroll’s incredible ongoing support of the film,” he added. “Amazon Studios, Skydance and Mandalay were all critical to getting this done, and the film couldn’t have been made without them. We value the steps it took on each of their parts to make it happen and want to thank them.“Added Affleck, “This was the best creative and personal experience of our lives and we look forward to many more like it.“AIRis in theaters April 5.
Ben AffleckandMatt Damonhave re-teamed for a sports drama.
The pair star in the first trailer forAIR, which is based on a true story and marks Affleck’s first time directing since 2016’sLive By Night. It’s the first film from Affleck and Damon’snew production company Artists Equity.
In it, Affleck, 50, plays Philip Knight, the co-founder of Nike, Inc., and Damon, 52, stars as Sonny Vaccaro, the sports marketing exec who helped signMichael Jordanto Nike and launch Air Jordan sneakers.
Viola Davisis Jordan’s mom Deloris in the film, and Davis’s real-life husbandJulius Tennonplaysthe NBA star’s dad James.Airalso stars Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Marlon Wayans, Chris Tucker and Gustaf Skarsgård.
“AIRreveals 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,” an official synopsis reads. “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.”
Ben Affleck inAIR(2023).COURTESY OF AMAZON STUDIOS
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Affleck and Damonwon the Best Original Screenplay Oscarback in 1998 for writingGood Will Huntingtogether, which they also starred in. Affleck has directed films likeThe TownandArgo, which won Best Picture in 2013. Damon and Affleck recently co-starred together in 2021’sThe Last Duel.
“Matt and I are very excited for audiences to see Air and proud that it’s the first release from Artists Equity,” Affleck said in a January statement, perVariety. “The movie was an extraordinary experience where we had the honor of working with some of the best cast and crew in the business, all of whom brought passion, persistence and creativity to a collective effort at recreating a remarkable and aspirational story.”
“I appreciate and value Jen Salke’s faith in our ability to execute on and deliver a movie we are proud of, as well as her and Sue Kroll’s incredible ongoing support of the film,” he added. “Amazon Studios, Skydance and Mandalay were all critical to getting this done, and the film couldn’t have been made without them. We value the steps it took on each of their parts to make it happen and want to thank them.”
Added Affleck, “This was the best creative and personal experience of our lives and we look forward to many more like it.”
AIRis in theaters April 5.
source: people.com
