MWCB - Barkley vs. Godzilla 1992

Directed by Michael Owens to promote the Nike Air Ballistic Force. The ultimate face off between the NBA Superstar and the feared monster right in the middle of Tokyo was produced by Industrial Light & Magic Studios, who's also responsible for the special effects of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. While the commercial was originally intended for the Japanese market only, Nike was so happy with the outcome, that they aired it globally. There’s a 14 min making-of the spot on YouTube that’s real fun to watch, including building a miniature Tokyo, Godzillas costume design and creating animations by drawing on the actual film frame with pencil and tracing paper (peep the 2nd slide for a short excerpt). Almost as popular as the spot itself are the Nike Tees that came along with the spot, that are a grail for almost any vintage Nike collector to this day. Who could have known the mighty Godzilla's weak spot was basketball.