Ben Affleck’s upcoming Nike film has officially added several big names to its already impressive roster. Although the Amazon Studios film is currently untitled, it was previously announced that Affleck would be teaming up with his lifelong collaborator Matt Damon to star in the as-yet-untitled film. The pair will portray Phil Knight (Affleck) and Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), the two Nike executives who took a long shot at pursuing basketball icon Micheal Jordan in the mid-80s, showcasing how a single endorsement shook the NBA, a sneaker brand, and the entire world. Besides starring, Affleck will also be sitting in the director’s chair, marking Affleck’s first time that he will be directing Damon in a feature film.
It has now been announced (via Deadline) that Jason Bateman (Ozark), Viola Davis (How To Get Away With Murder), Chris Tucker (Rush Hour franchise), Chris Messina (Birds of Prey), Marlon Wayans (Respect), Matthew Maher (Our Flag Means Death), Tom Papa, and Julius Tennon will also join the film's star-studded cast. The upcoming film started production in Los Angeles earlier this week.
In Affleck’s Nike film, Davis and Tennon will be portraying Jordan’s parents, Deloris and James Jordan, with Messina taking on the role of Jordan’s original agent, David Falk. Bateman will be playing Vaccaro’s boss and longtime Nike executive Rob Strasser, with Tucker cast as the former college basketball player and junior Nike executive Howard White. Maher will be taking on the role of Peter Moore, who created the first pair of Air Jordan sneakers that helped launch a global phenomenon.
Source: Deadline