Ben Affleck’s acclaimed movie, Air, only shows archival clips of the Bulls legend. Yet, the movie collected close to $90 million worldwide. Air only focused on the Nike and Air Jordan contract, but was a hit amongst sports fans. To get Michael Jordan’s approval, Affleck had to get MJ’s “what I care about” list right. However, in the movie, there was an unscripted scene. It’s the director’s son who spilled the sauce about Matt Damon’s role.

“I was there like he just made that up, like all it was not in the script.” Samuel, who is thirteen years old, spoke about the scene when His Airness signed the contract. Damon’s character in the movie, in the middle of the office, shouts, “Hey everybody, uh we just signed Michael Jordan,” and then proceeds to raise both his arms in celebration. “He just like made up the idea of him coming out, and I watched him do it. And then all the like all everyone kept cheering for like 3 minutes straight after they said cut.”

The crew and cast greatly appreciated the unscripted scene. Samuel continues, “We were just like sitting in the office watching the video and everyone was still like high five.” Director Ben Affleck then explained why the scene was part of the movie as it helped bring out an important emotion. “We needed to have a moment of like celebration.”

On the Got Sole YouTube channel, both father and son spoke about the move. Affleck made a deliberate choice not to cast anyone as the 6x NBA champion, believing that no actor could authentically capture Jordan’s presence and legacy. The Director previously stated: “Because, in my opinion, there’s no convincing anybody that someone who isn’t Michael Jordan is Michael Jordan.” And having MJ on board wasn’t easy.

Michael Jordan and his checklist to approve the movie

Apart from Affleck, even acclaimed actor Idris Elba was genuinely interested in a Michael Jordan biopic. That movie, again, was not about basketball accomplishments but overall business acumen, which has led MJ to be a billionaire. But the 6x NBA Finals MVP denied being part of the movie. In order to make sure the North Carolina alum was all in for Air, Ben Affleck agreed His Airness demands and “what I care about” list.

Jordan’s demands were straightforward. George Raveling, the former college basketball player and the assistant coach for the ‘Dream Team,’ was at the top of the list because, as Michael Jordan said, “I wouldn’t be at Nike without him.” The movie Air focused on an industry-altering shoe deal with Nike. The Bulls legend also made one casting demand for his mother’s crucial role. It was none other than the legendary Viola Davis.

Interestingly, her real-life partner also played the role of her reel partner. Affleck explained to MJ how Julius Tennon was “the right guy for that matter.” Since the demands were met, Michael Jordan agreed to the movie, and the world experienced the contract negotiation of a rookie who would change the course of player contracts.