In two weeks, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will unveil the latest project from their production imprint, Artists Equity. Damon and Affleck will take part in Air, a film that chronicles Nike’s pursuit of Michael Jordan and the development of an athletic shoe that would alter pop culture.
As the film’s release date nears, Affleck continues to make his fair share of media appearances, including an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. While speaking to the prominent industry outlet, Affleck opened up about his experience working with Jordan. Most notably, he mentioned two specific requests the six-time NBA Champion made. First, Jordan Brand Senior Vice President Howard White had to be represented in the film.
“I had a chance to sit down with Michael Jordan, because I just wasn’t going to make this movie without asking him, ‘What matters to you?’ Interestingly, and tellingly, he had a few things that mattered,” Affleck said.
“One of them was that Howard White needed to be in the movie.”
Second, Jordan requested that Viola Davis play his mother.
“I got the script and then had the chance again to talk to Michael. Michael Jordan, for those of you who don’t know, is one of the most intimidating, impressive men you’ll ever see in your life,” Affleck explained.
“He told me about is father. And then he talked about his mother. It was the first time I saw this look cross his face. It was a look of reverence, of awe, of love, and gratitude, and innocence. He said, ‘None of this would have ever happened without my mother.’ I said, ‘Who would you like to play your mom?’ He said, ‘Well, it has to be Viola Davis.”
