Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s film Air will be available to stream on Prime Video very soon. Air follows the story of Sonny Vaccaro, Nike’s basketball talent scout, as he tries to get then-rookie Michael Jordan to sign an exclusivity deal with Nike. The film has received praise for Affleck, Damon, and Viola Davis’ performances and for honoring the legacy of Jordan and his mother.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Air will come to Prime Video on May 12. The streaming release follows an exclusive run in theaters which first began on April 5. While Jordan himself isn’t in Air, the movie honoring the legacy of him and Air Jordans can soon be viewed at home.
Why Air Is The Perfect Michael Jordan Movie
Air is directed by Affleck, marking the first time he’s directed his childhood friend Damon in a film. Instead of focusing on Jordan as a major figure in basketball, Air sees Vaccaro and others who worked with Nike at the time have their stories told on the big screen. While the movie is ultimately about Jordan’s decision to sign with Nike, it’s also a deeper look at the potential Nike saw in Jordan early on.
Instead of having Jordan as a focus, the film shows how involved his mother, Deloris Jordan, was in ensuring her son got fair compensation when signing an exclusivity deal. Jordan’s one condition for Air was that Davis should be cast as his mother in the movie, which Affleck agreed to. Because of Davis’ performance, the film stands out as a unique biographical take on Jordan by putting his mother in the spotlight.
While in theaters, Air has made $79.2 million against a budget of between $70 million and $90 million. While the film underperformed at the box office, its release on Prime Video may allow it to reach a wider audience, making up for lackluster theatrical earnings. The upcoming streaming date also means more people can see how Air uses the lens of Air Jordans to honor the legacy of Nike, Jordan, and his mother.
Source: THR
