Ben Affleck recalls how an ‘intimidated’ Michael Jordan DEMANDED the casting of Viola Davis in ‘Air’
Ben Affleck's "Air" Inspired by Michael Jordan and Viola Davis, here is all you should know.
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Michael Jordan (image viaThibault Camus/AP) and Ben Affleck (image via amy sussman/getty images)
The highly anticipated film “Air” made its world premiere at South by Southwest, with a stellar cast that included A-listers such as Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris Tucker, and Viola Davis. Directed by Affleck himself, the movie chronicles the fascinating tale of how Nike’s legendary Air Jordan shoe line came to be, with the help of Sonny Vaccaro, portrayed by Damon.
Ben Affleck revealed at the premiere that he had a chance to sit down with Michael Jordan before making the movie. He asked Jordan what mattered most to him, and the basketball legend had a few requests. One of those demands was for Vice President of the Jordan Brand Howard White to appear in the film. Chris Tucker, with whom Affleck had long wished to collaborate, might be cast in that part, the actor realized.
The second one was Jordan’s request to cast Viola Davis as his mother which was the most surprising and touching. Jordan said that none of his success would have been possible without his mother, and that Davis was the only actress he could envision playing her.
Ben Affleck has expressed that working with Michael Jordan was a magical and joyful professional experience. He attributes this magic to the proximity to Jordan, perhaps akin to being close to magic itself. Affleck goes on to express his admiration for Viola Davis, stating that he has always believed that having her in one of his movies would be a sign of having made it as a director.
Viola Davis Playing as Michael Jordan’s Mother
In her recent role as Michael Jordan’s mother, Viola Davis shares that the challenge was portraying a normal and ordinary person who ends up doing extraordinary things. Her character represents a generation of Black parenting, born in the 1940s, where children embody their parents’ dreams. This contrasts with past generations who were denied opportunities to dream due to the lack of equal opportunities for Black individuals.
Despite the challenges of her time, Michael Jordan’s mother believed in the power of education and recognized her son’s potential in playing in the NBA. She was not afraid to dream big and strive for the utmost for her child, an extraordinary human being.
Davis highlights the significance of Black parenting and the importance of fostering dreams and opportunities for future generations. The portrayal of Jordan’s mother reminds us of the resilience and strength of Black women who have overcome societal barriers and continue to inspire the next generation.
In a time where we still face systemic barriers and disparities, it is essential to recognize the significance of representation and uplifting the voices and stories of those who have been historically marginalized. The depiction of Michael Jordan’s mother is not only a tribute to her but also a reminder of the power of Black women’s stories and the impact they have on the world.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)