?Get Them Paid Better?: $170,000,000 Rich Matt Damon Kicks Off Noble Venture With Ben Affleck Using Iconic Michael Jordan Movie

After months of anticipation, the Michael Jordan-inspired sports drama Air finally hit the screens on April 5. As sports fans are already aware, the film highlights the events that eventually led Nike to sign the iconic contract with NBA legend Michael Jordan. As fans make their way to the theatres to witness Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro’s pursuit to acquire the Chicago Bulls legend Jordan, Matt Damon shared a little-known fact that encouraged him and Ben Affleck to release Air under their joint venture.

Aside from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, the movie features several other notable actors. Chris Tucker stepped into the shoes of Jordan brand Vice-President Howard White, while Viola Davis was cast in a pivotal role as Jordan’s mother. They are joined by Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans and Chris Messina.

Matt Damon reveals the reason behind producing Air

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have come a long way since they first met as kids in a neighborhood in Boston. The childhood best-friends have shared the screen quite a few times and even won their first Academy Awards together for Good Will Hunting.

After working together for years, the duo recently co-founded a production company named Artists Equity. Air is the first movie to be released under their new banner and the co-owners wish to expand it further for a certain cause that they want to highlight.

In the latest episode of the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Damon talked about Air and past ventures with Affleck. As the conversation progressed, Fallon asked if Damon still possessed the same love and passion for movies that he had years ago.

In response, Damon said, “Yeah, absolutely. That’s one of the reasons we started this company. Ben and I started this kind of a mini studio together. This [Air] was our first movie for the studio.”

When Fallon asked about the name of their company, Damon replied, “Artists Equity. Because we are pulling a lot of the crew members. We’re trying to pull them above the line and get them paid better.”

Damon’s and Affleck’s new venture is targeted specifically to provide a studio and workspace for writers and artists who have struggled with the competitive salaries and work environment in Hollywood for years. As the basis of their first movie, Michael Jordan indeed has the pleasure of being included in another noble cause – while stealing the limelight, of course!

However, Michael Jordan himself will not be playing in the film.

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Why is Michael Jordan not cast in the movie?

When the production of the sports drama was first announced, it prompted fans to wonder if they would get to see the Chicago Bulls legend in the film. However, it was soon made clear that His Airness would not be a part of the movie, although he played a certain role in making a few decisions, including the casting of Viola Davis for the role of his mother.

When asked about the exclusion of Jordan from the movie, director Ben Affleck had a pretty good reason for it. He stated that no one other than Jordan himself would have been fit for the role, but – apart from the Hall of Famer being too old to play the part of a young MJ – he wanted fans to come to see the movie with their own memories of the real Michael Jordan.

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Have you seen?Air yet? The NBA legend has surely lent his legacy not only to an iconic movie by Damon and Affleck but also to all the crew members and artists who contributed to its creation. Let us know your views on the film in the comments below.