Ben Affleck proud of enduring popularity of ‘The Accountant’

Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal graced the premiere of “The Accountant 2” at the TCL Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles on April 16. The movie is set to open in cinemas on Friday. During a recent virtual press conference, Affleck expressed his surprise at the enduring popularity of the thriller since its initial release in 2016. The film, written by Bill Dubuque and directed by Gavin O’Connor, continues the story of Affleck’s character, Christian Wolff, an autistic forensic accountant who collaborates with criminal organizations and subsequently informs on them to the U.S. Treasury Department.

Jon Bernthal portrays Christian’s brother Braxton, while J.K. Simmons plays Ray, Christian’s contact at the Treasury Department, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson takes on the role of Marybeth, the Treasury agent tasked with uncovering Christian’s true identity. Affleck shared his enthusiasm for reprising the character, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the team to evolve the storyline in a fresh and engaging manner.

The actors and filmmakers were determined to steer clear of replicating the original film’s success formula, opting instead for a new and innovative approach. Affleck described Marybeth as the central focus of the movie, emphasizing the character-driven narrative. Bernthal praised the strong writing by Dubuque and the meticulous direction by O’Connor, underscoring their commitment to exploring the characters’ depth and complexity.

O’Connor emphasized the importance of crafting a sequel that would challenge the characters and propel them into new territories, ensuring an organic and meaningful convergence of their paths. With a focus on delivering an enjoyable and entertaining experience for the audience, the filmmakers aimed to create a sequel that would resonate with viewers long after they leave the theaters.