Ben Affleck Talks 'Brilliant' Input Jennifer Lopez Gave Into Upcoming 'Air' Movie

Ben Affleck's new production company Artists Equity, founded alongside fellow actor Matt Damon is set to release its first movie, "Air," and fans are in high anticipation.

The film will mark Affleck's fifth directorial feat. However, it might not have come to life without excellent input from his wife of nearly a year Jennifer Lopez, whom he recently praised for her brilliance.

Artists Equity's first production is a story of how the family of the legendary Michael Jordan and a group of Nike executives changed the business with a groundbreaking sneaker deal.

"Air" will be premiered by Amazon on Saturday, March 18, at the South by Southwest film festival before its worldwide release in theaters on Wednesday, April 5. Affleck recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporterabout the upcoming film, touching on his wife's advice for filming which he called "brilliant" given her considerable knowledge of the evolution of fashion.  

When asked what Lopez added to the script, the 50-year-old noted that she was "incredibly knowledgeable about the way fashion evolves through the culture as a confluence of music, sports, entertainment, and dance."

He also mentioned that she helped him in "talking about the way in which a part of the reason why Jordans [the shoes] were so meaningful is because culture and style in America is 90 percent driven by Black culture."

"Black culture has historically pioneered music, dance, fashion," Affleck explained. "And it's then been stolen, appropriated, remarketed as Elvis or whatever. And in this case, [Nike], a white-run corporate entity, was starting to do business with African American athletes in an identity affiliation sales thing."

He added that the executives were taking value from what Jordan represented and who he was, and he did not believe the meaning could be "overstated." The "Armageddon" actor clarified, "They're going to switch from "Hey, guys, we are a nice shoe," to "If Mike has it, you want it."

Not only did JLo give him advice on his new project, but she also guided him on how to portray himself for the interview, saying he should relax, be himself, and have fun. Affleck further revealed that the "Love Ain't Cost A Thing" singer noticed he was often too "serious.

He recalled his beautiful wife telling him, "Relax, be yourself. Have fun. 'You’re actually a fun guy who is real and genuine and you just seem so serious.'" Affleck then added, "Do I seem serious? But as in many things, she’s really right. And she loves me. She’s looking out for me. She’s trying to help me. So it’s like, maybe I ought to fucking listen to her."

In the upcoming film, alongside the "Gone Girl" actor's director duties, he stars as Nike co-founder and former CEO Phil Knight, while his partner Damon plays Nike shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro.

As The Blast reported, the duo is featured with an "all-star cast," including the phenomenal Viola Davis as Jordan's mother, Deloris Jordan. In addition, Jason Bateman acts as Rob Strasser, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Julius Tennon as James Jordan, and Marlon Wayans as George Raveling.

Although the movie focuses on Jordan and his family, he does not make many appearances, as seen in the trailer. 

"Air" marks a reunion for longtime buddies Affleck and Damon, while its premise recounts how Nike hoped for the success of the NBA icon, risking it all but eventually launching a multi-billion sneaker industry. 

Before now, the "Good Will Hunting" stars were featured as opposing characters in the historical drama "The Last Duel," directed by Ridley Scott and grossing about $30 million worldwide out of a $100 million budget.

Affleck is a number one fan of his wife and does not hesitate to shout it to the world. This was the case in a 2021 interview with Adweek when he gushed about the songstress' "effect on the world."

The "Argo" actor confessed that he had seen firsthand and constantly, how women of color approach Lopez, lauding her for being an exemplary figure. He noted that the women "tell [Lopez] what her example as a strong woman and a woman succeeding and demanding her fair share in the business world means to them." 

Such an "effect on the world" stunned Affleck as he knew he could not compete even though he made movies that moved people. "Jennifer has inspired a massive group of people to feel they have a seat at the table in this country," he elaborated. "That is an effect few people throughout history have had, one I will never know and one I can only stand by and admire with respect."