“Air” Ben Affleck’s challenge to become the “Air Jordan of the movie world”

“The Air Jordan of the movie world”

Although Michael Jordan was not directly involved in the film, Ben Affleck said he was the one who recommended Viola Davis for the role of his mother, Deloris.

Certainly, she is the true protagonist of this work. Deloris' exceptional negotiation skills allow her to receive not only the contract fee, but also a portion of the Air Jordan sales. If played by a bad actor, he would look like a miser obsessed with Big money. She needs the love and dignity of a mother who believes in Michael Jordan more than anyone else in the world and tries to protect him. Viola Davis was the best and most suitable casting.

Incentive contracts in which merchandise sales were returned to athletes were extremely rare at the time. This became a role model, and today top athletes such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and LeBron James have signed exclusive contracts with manufacturers and are earning huge salaries. Companies and athletes are building a win-win relationship.

“Air” ©2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.

However, this film seems to carefully avoid answering the question of the pros and cons of a system that allows only top athletes to earn Big money (at least in my eyes). Sony was clearly reluctant to accept the deal, and CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) lamented that it would make operations difficult going forward. Perhaps Ben Affleck has found a similar structure to the privilege afforded only to some star actors such as Dwayne Johnson.

Air Jordans revolutionized the way contracts are negotiated in the sports world. However, this benefit was only given to a handful of superstars. Artist Equity goes a step further and seeks to return profits to all creators. Coincidentally, the story told in ``Air'' seems to overlap with Ben Affleck's quest to become the ``Air Jordan of the movie world.''

This man, who can be compared to Clint Eastwood as an actor, director, and producer, is sure to write a new history in the future.

(*1)https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/feature/ben-affleck-air-production-company-grammys-memes-justice-league-1235353301/

(*2)https://movies.mxdwn.com/news/matt-damon-ben-affleck-say-new-production-company-aims-for-more-equitable-talent-experience/

Text: Rui Takeshima

A pop culture writer who wants to be kicked by Hit Girl. Host of the web magazine "POP MASTER".

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『Air』

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©2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.