Ben Affleck to Play Phil Knight and Direct ‘AIR’, New Michael Jordan Nike Drama
Image Credit: Nike
This story was first published on April 20, 2022.
Update January 24, 2023: New details have emerged eight months after it was first announced. According to , the title will be AIR, with a theatrical release slated for April 5 this year, in time for Easter.
‘Matt and I are very excited for audiences to see Air and proud that it’s the first release from Artists Equity,’ said Affleck to Deadline. Artists Equity is a production company founded by co-star Matt Damon.
News has emerged of a new sports drama starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon that traces the story of Sonny Vaccaro, the man largely responsible for signing to . Damon is set to play Vaccaro, while Affleck will portray Nike founder and also write and direct the program.
As reported by , this currently untitled program is being made possible by a deal between Amazon Studios and Skydance Sports, who are finalising their agreement. Mandalay Pictures will also be involved with production. Skydance Sports president Jon Weinbach and Mandalay Pictures chairman Peter Guber previously were involved with production of The Last Dance. Affleck will take on writing, directing, starring, and production duties.
The show will reportedly be based on the true story of how Vaccaro, a salesman for Nike in the 1980s, helped convince MJ to sign with the Swoosh. It’s well documented that the GOAT almost went with a , but this dramatisation will hopefully set the story straight.
Affleck and Damon have worked together in a deeper capacity multiple times before; some of their earliest success dates back to co-writing and winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting. Let’s see if their talent extends to the sports show arena.