In the world of Hollywood blockbusters, it’s not often that a film about an accountant becomes a runaway hit. But that’s exactly what happened with the “Accountant” franchise, starring Ben Affleck as the titular number-crunching action hero. Now, as the third installment of the series gears up for production, fans are eager to learn more about the origins of this unlikely success story.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with the director and writer of the “Accountant” franchise, Gavin O’Connor and Bill Dubuque, as well as its star, Ben Affleck, to discuss how the series came to be, the challenges they faced along the way, and the unexpected joys they discovered in the process.
According to O’Connor, the idea for “The Accountant” first came to him during a conversation with Dubuque about their shared love of action movies and their desire to create something fresh and original in the genre. “We wanted to take a character who was typically portrayed as a nerdy, buttoned-up accountant and turn him into a badass, gun-toting vigilante,” O’Connor explained. “It was a risky concept, but we knew we had something special on our hands.”
Dubuque, who penned the script for the first film, added that he was drawn to the project because of its unique blend of action, suspense, and character-driven storytelling. “I wanted to explore the idea of a man who uses his exceptional skills in mathematics to navigate a dangerous world of crime and corruption,” Dubuque said. “It was a challenging premise, but one that I found incredibly compelling.”
As for Affleck, who signed on to play the lead role of Christian Wolff, a high-functioning autistic accountant with a deadly secret, he was immediately intrigued by the character’s complexity and depth. “Christian is not your typical action hero,” Affleck noted. “He’s a flawed and vulnerable man who struggles to connect with others, yet possesses a fierce sense of justice and a talent for violence. It was a role unlike anything I had ever played before, and I knew it would push me as an actor.”
Despite their initial doubts, the team’s hard work paid off when “The Accountant” was released to critical acclaim and box office success in 2016. The film’s unexpected popularity led to the greenlighting of a sequel, “The Accountant: Blood Money,” which further explored Christian Wolff’s dark past and his ongoing battle against the criminal underworld.
Now, as they prepare to begin filming the third installment of the franchise, tentatively titled “The Accountant: Balance of Power,” O’Connor, Dubuque, and Affleck are excited to delve even deeper into Christian Wolff’s world and to continue pushing the boundaries of the action genre.
In addition to discussing the “Accountant” franchise, our conversation also touched on the challenges of working in Hollywood, the importance of perseverance in the face of rejection, and the unexpected joys of learning to line dance on set. “You never know where life will take you,” Affleck mused. “Sometimes, the most unlikely paths lead to the greatest rewards.”
As we wrapped up our interview, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by the passion and dedication of these talented filmmakers. The “Accountant” franchise may have started as a risky experiment, but it has since evolved into a beloved series that continues to captivate audiences around the world. And with O’Connor, Dubuque, and Affleck at the helm, I have no doubt that the third installment will be another thrilling chapter in this unexpected success story.