It 'had to be Viola Davis': How RI's own came to play Michael Jordan's mom in 'Air'

For Michael Jordan, there was only one actress out there who could play his loving, formidable and smart mother in the new biopic "Air."

And that was none other than Rhode Island’s Viola Davis.

In theaters for one week now, "Air" is the story behind the famous Air Jordan sneaker. That moment in 1984 when Nike was desperately looking to bring some star power to their struggling line of basketball shoes and Michael Jordan was just about to become a star.

And the broker between the two became Deloris Jordan.

At the film’s premiere, director Ben Affleck told reporters Jordan told him “none of this would have ever happened without my mother.” And when he asked who Jordan would want to play his mom, he said “Well, it has to be Viola Davis.”

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Many projects are hoping to land Davis, an EGOT winner, but she took this project because of the intelligence and strength of Jordan’s mom.

"She talked about how her generation of African American women lived through their children, because they didn't have a chance to realize their own dreams," co-star Matt Damon said in an interview with USA Today. "All of that is in this beautiful performance."

Davis called it “an honor to play Deloris Jordan alongside my love [Julius Tennon] who played James Jordan. Unforgettable.”

How to watch ‘Air’ movie

While the movie is a production of Amazon’s studios, it is currently playing only in theaters.

It’s playing in most of the theaters in Rhode Island.

When it becomes available for streaming, it will likely be on Prime Video.

What has the reception been to 'Air'?

In its first week, the R-rated film grossed over $20 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing film Amazon has released since 2017.

Air was rated ★★★½ out of four by USA Today. By coming out in theaters, it will be eligible for consideration in the Academy Awards.

'Air' review: It's all about the shoes, and the A-list cast, in Ben Affleck's slam-dunk drama

Viola Davis's Rhode Island connections

Viola Davis grew up in Central Falls Rhode Island and went to Rhode Island College. She was a regular at Trinity Repertory Theatre before making it big in Hollywood.

Since becoming a star, she has consistently given back to the Rhode Island community, donating money to Central Falls High School and the Segue Insitute for Learning.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI native Viola Davis plays Michael Jordan's mom in 'Air' movie