The trailer for Ben Affleck’s latest film “Air” has finally flown into our orbit.
Director and star Affleck is featured in the trailer sporting a retro look for his portrayal of Phil Knight, former Nike Inc. CEO who oversaw the 1984 deal that changed the sneaker industry – and athletic endorsement deals – forever.
The trailer also features a first look at Affleck reuniting with fellow “Good Will Hunting” Oscar winner Matt Damon, who stars as Sonny Vaccaro, who is tasked to come up “with a brilliant idea that no one else can see” in an effort to help turn Nike’s business around. Vaccaro is the executive who went on to land Nike’s endorsement deal with Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan.
“You got a name for it?” Affleck asks Damon in the trailer.
“Air Jordan,” Damon says.
To that, Affleck replies, “I don’t know… maybe it’ll grow on me.”
NBA legend Jordan himself is conspicuously missing from the trailer, but Viola Davis is featured as Jordan’s mother, Deloris Jordan.
Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker and Marlon Wayans also star in the film.
“Air” is Affleck’s first directorial effort in seven years following “Live by Night” in 2016. Affleck’s 2012 film “Argo,” which he also starred in and directed, won an Oscar for best picture.
In a hilarious show of support, Affleck’s wife Jennifer Lopez shared an Instagram post featuring the new trailer that showed a scowling Affleck in his “Air” costume with text that read, “My husband’s happy face.”
The cheeky message seemingly poked fun at Affleck’s miserable facial expressions during Sunday’s Grammy Awards that went viral in the days that followed.
