Director Ben Affleck Says Michael Jordan Wanted Viola Davis to Play His Mom in New ‘Air’ Movie

When it came time to find actors to play NBA legend Michael Jordan’s parents in the new movie Air, the retired basketball player had only one person in mind to portray his mother: Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis.

Before the movie premiered at the SXSW festival on Saturday, March 18, 2023, director Ben Affleck recalled the conversation he had with the former Chicago Bulls player about who should play the role. Jordan, 60, explained that his mother had a big influence on his career, and he wanted to accurately depict her story.

Jordan told Affleck, 50, to contact Davis to see if she’s interested in playing his mom, Deloris, in the movie. The director revealed, “He said, ‘Well, it has to be Viola Davis.’ I said, ‘That’s like saying can I play basketball on your court, and you say, yeah if you get Michael Jordan.’ Viola Davis is the best actor I have ever seen.”

Alongside Davis and Affleck, the movie Air features a talented ensemble cast that includes names like Chris Tucker, Matt Damon, Jason Bateman and Marlon Wayans.