When Ben Affleck presented the world premiere of his new film Air at the South by Southwest Film & FTV Festival in Austin earlier this month, the director, producer and star of the Amazon Studios release called it “the most important night of my professional life.”
Monday night in Westwood must have been close second.
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Affleck attended the Regency Village Theater for the LA premiere of his new film, which traces the roots of a groundbreaking partnership between then-rookie Michael Jordan and the burgeoning basketball division of Nike, who revolutionized the world of sport and culture with the Air Jordan brand.
It casts Matt Damon as Nike’s resident basketball expert, Sonny Vaccaro, Affleck as Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight, Jason Bateman as Nike chief marketing officer Rob Strasser, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Sonny’s colleague and adviser, Chris Messina as Jordan’s agent David Falk. Marlon Wayans as legendary trainer George Raveling, Viola Davis as Michael’s mother, Deloris Jordan, her husband Julius Tennon who plays Michael’s father James Jordan, and Matthew Maher as Air Jordan designer Peter Moore.
Marlon Wayans, Ben Affleck, Viola Davis, Matt Damon, Julius Tennon, Jason Bateman and Chris Tucker.
All were in attendance for the starry premiere, a well-produced scene that hosted a red carpet covered in sections by a swanky basketball court, complete with a basket (Wayans scored a basket on arrival), grandstands with Nike-clad fans and two Mercedes-Benz rides. The premiere also featured swarms of Nikes worn by guests, publicists and the trade press, so many pairs it could easily rival a basketball game or sneaker convention.
After Affleck and company walked down the press line — the Oscar-winner lavishly stopped at every outlet to chat about his film, a collaboration between Amazon Studios and Skydance Sports, which was showcasing a production by Artists Equity and Mandalay Pictures — he took took the time at the Theater Lichter to present the film and thank everyone involved.
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Though he didn’t say it was the second most important night of his professional life, it seemed like he got emotional at times while making his remarks. “I know it sounds a bit like a Saturday Night Live sketch,” Affleck said, before shouting out to the leads and showering praise on each one. “The dream team of actors, you know, the absurd richness of this cast was overwhelming, but they were all brilliant and extraordinary.”
He saved a special nod for his longtime best friend Matt Damon. Not only does the pair reunite on screen in Air, but the film also marks the first production effort by their new company, Artists Equity, which aims to revolutionize the way crew are paid for their work. (Affleck spoke at length about the company’s mission in a THR cover story.) “When you’re really lucky in life, you have a friend like Matt Damon. I love him and working with him is the greatest pleasure of my professional life,” Affleck said.
The night was filled with celebration and kind praise like this, but there were also heavier moments, most notably when Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke acknowledged the death of beloved sales executive Erik Lomis, who died suddenly last week at the age of 64.
“This is a great loss, not only for our company but for the entire industry,” said Salke in her opening speech. “Erik ran theatrical distribution for MGM and Amazon and was a true champion in the film business. I know that those of us who were lucky enough to know him will cherish our memories of him and keep his passion for theatrical distribution alive. Air is a film about taking risks, believing in something bigger than all of us and risking it in pursuit of greatness. That’s what this creative team did to bring this film to the big screen, and it fits best with Erik’s enduring legacy.”
Speaking of legacy, Affleck made it clear that Air isn’t the definitive story of Michael Jordan, but “he’s in and above and inhabiting every cell of the film.” Affleck has said that Jordan didn’t have many requirements for the film but insisted that Davis be the woman who plays his mother. “I think she is a symbol of mothers guiding their children in cases where they feel accelerated in difficult-to-navigate worlds at a young age. I don’t think you can do this or survive without a strong mother,” he said. On that note, he thanked his own mother, “who loves all my films, even the really bad ones.”
Affleck then prepared to wrap up his opening remarks, but not before pausing briefly to savor the moment and call out another special VIP at the theater — superstar wife Jennifer Lopez.
“It was a pleasure and I just want to enjoy this moment for a second,” he said. “And I want to say that none of this would be possible – this company, this film, this joy tonight – without the love and support of my wife, who means more to me than anything else in the world. I want to say thanks. I love you. you mean the world to me You are fabulous, you are amazing, you are wonderful, good, kind, great and I love you.”
Below are THR’s interviews with the Air family from tonight’s premiere, including chats with Affleck, Damon, Bateman, Tucker and Messina. Air will be Amazon’s first global theatrical release, hitting theaters on April 5th.
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