New Delhi: Actor-filmmaker Ben Affleck’s directorial biographical drama, ‘Air’ is all set to premiere on Prime Video on May 12. The Matt Damon and Affleck starrer film offers a rare glimpse into the story of basketball legend Michael Jordan, who inspired the iconic Air Jordan sneakers.  


The film is about Nike’s longshot attempt to sign the basketball legend in the mid-’80s, an endorsement that seemed impossible at the time but would go on to become the most significant relationship between an athletic brand and an athlete, launching the multibillion-dollar contemporary sneaker industry. 


Describing how Michael Jordan was elemental to the creation of AIR Jordan, and subsequently to the film, actor, director and producer Ben Affleck said, “Air is not Michael Jordan’s story, but there is no story without him. I would not have made this movie without first reaching out to him. And I’m grateful to Michael for sharing what was important to him. His presence and influence is felt throughout the film, though we don’t see his face. Because he is such an icon–an undisputedly important and meaningful figure.” 


Matt Damon, Affleck’s close friend, stars as Sonny Vaccaro, the legendary sneaker salesman who signed Jordan to his first sneaker deal in the initial days of Nike. 


The cast also includes Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan, and Gustaf Skarsgard as Horst Dassler. 


Backed by Amazon Studios, Skydance Sports and Mandalay Pictures, “Air” is the first project from Affleck and Damon’s production banner Artists Equity. 


It also marks the first time when Affleck has directed Damon. The duo won an Oscar for the best original screenplay for their 1997 movie “Good Will Hunting”, and later worked together on movies such as 'Dogma' and 'The Last Duel'. 


'Air’ is penned by Alex Convery. It is produced by David Ellison, Jesse Sisgold, Jon Weinbach, Affleck, Damon, Madison Ainley, Jeff Robinov, Peter Guber, and Jason Michael Berman. 


(With PTI inputs)