“Because, in my opinion, there’s no convincing anybody that someone who isn’t Michael Jordan is Michael Jordan.” That’s how the director and the main actor of the movie Air described the choice of not casting anybody else for MJ. In fact, Ben Affleck’s acclaimed movie only shows archival clips of the Bulls legend, as the focus was on the Nike contract. Now, another acclaimed actor, Idris Elba, has given his honest thought about MJ’s biopic, and whether the NBA icon is on board with another docu-series about him.

“Well, just to be clear here, I didn’t tell Michael himself I’m not going to go ‘Michael I want to play you’, but I did put it out there that I’d love to play Michael Jordan. And the internet laughed me out of the town.” The Golden Globe awardee was promoting his new movie Sonic the Hedgehog 3, alongside co-star Keanu Reeves. Elba answered the question about MJ’s biopic and listed the reasons why netizens weren’t happy with him.

“They was like, No, just first of all you’re too short. Second of all, you can’t play basketball.” The height issue is true since the English actor/ producer is 6 feet 2 in comparison to His Airness’ 6 feet 6 stature. And what about the hooping abilities? The 52-year-old candidly stated, “I can play, but I’m not Michael Jordan.”

In the end, Reeves tried to encourage his co-star and said, “With CGI now you could do it, you could do it.” Elba was puzzled, “What? Help me play basketball?” But even the John Wick actor knew it was a tall task and laughed it off. “No, no, no, younger Jordan.”

Before this, Elba also mentioned why was he genuinely interested in a Michael Jordan biopic. “But listen I think Jordan and Jordan brand and Michael Jordan himself just fascinating character, icon. And I mean, would I? Yeah! Love that! I’d absolutely love that,” via Sports Illustrated.

It’s exactly what the Luther star previously explained in an episode with Complex. He wanted to reprise the role of the businessman Michael Jordan and not necessarily the story behind his basketball career.

“He is a very astute businessman, really smart. And his work as a philanthropist is unspoken, but people don’t understand the work.” However, the 6x NBA champion denied suggesting, “He was like, ‘Ah, I’m not ready for that story yet.‘” And it shows.

Michael Jordan and his alarming absence from Air

It’s not the first time the 6x NBA Finals MVP has denied being part of the movie. As stated, the movie Air focused on an industry-altering shoe deal with Nike. Ben Affleck even explained that he met MJ in person to get his feedback and permission to make the movie. That’s when His Airness gave a “what I care about” list. 

The demands were pretty simple. George Raveling, the former college basketball player and the assistant coach for the ‘Dream Team,’ was at the top of the list because, as Michael Jordan said, “I wouldn’t be at Nike without him.”

The Bulls legend also made one casting demand for his mother’s crucial role. It was none other than the legendary Viola Davis. Interestingly, her real-life partner also played the role of her reel partner. 

Affleck explained to MJ how Julius Tennon was “the right guy for that matter.” The movie was about the Nike and Air Jordan contract, collected close to $90 million worldwide. And it only featured archival footage of Michael Jordan and focused on other important people in his life.