‘Air: Courting A Legend’ And Why Michael Jordan Isn’t In The Movie

"Air: Courting A Legend" is about the rise and popularity of Air Jordan's. It revolves around the man who really isn't in the movie: Michael Jordan.

From award-winning actor, director Ben Affleck, "Air: Courting a Legend" is about the unbelievable game-changing partnership between an unknown rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s then fledgling basketball division, that revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand.

The moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the mother who won't compromise because she knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenomenon who would become the greatest of all time.

The biopic focuses on Sonny Vaccaro, the creator of the Air Jordan sneakers. Nike is looking for a way to become one of the premier basketball shoe brands in the U.S., and Vaccaro decides to pursue a partnership with Jordan, a rookie who had just been drafted third overall by the Bulls, from the University of North Carolina.

"Air: Courting a Legend" follows the company's pursuit of Jordan as it looks to create the now-iconic brand.

The cast of "Air" includes a number of A-list actors, including Academy Award winners Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, EGOT winner Viola Davis and Emmy winner Jason Bateman. It also features Chris Tucker, and Marlon Wayans.

Matt Damon plays the leading role as Sonny Vaccaro, with Ben Affleck playing the role of Phil Knight,  founder of Nike. Viola Davis and Julius Tennon will play Jordan's parents, Deloris and James Jordan.

Micheal Jordan is obviously a major figure in the plot of the film, and the real Jordan will appear in archival footage, but there won't be an actor portraying him. Screen Rant wrote, the purpose of leaving Jordan out of the film is to build an element of mystique around the legendary basketball talent, and to keep the focus on Vaccaro, Knight and Nike.

The film will be released April 5. It will be shown on more than 3,000 screens in the U.S. The movie will then be put on Amazon's streaming service, Amazon Prime. Marking it as the first film Amazon released in theaters without simultaneously premiering on Prime Video.

Watch the trailer. Then take a look at some of the popular Air Jordans over time.

Cindy Ord Via Getty Images

Cindy Ord via Getty Images

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Ethan Miller via Getty Images

Ethan Miller via Getty Images