The 2016 action thriller The Accountant became a hit upon its release, thanks, in large part, to its talented cast of characters. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, known for Warrior (2011), and written by Bill Dubuque, the movie grossed $155.3 million globally against a $44 million budget. Its success is largely attributed to compelling performances and a surprising plot twist that set it apart from typical action films. The Accountant follows Christian Wolff, a brilliant accountant with autism who works for high-profile criminal clients.
Through its intricate narrative of corruption and suspense, the film seamlessly combines action with a captivating mystery. When it was released, The Accountant received middling reviews but has gained increased fanfare over the years. Now, The Accountant 2 filming start has been confirmed with the sequel having been greenlit in 2021. It will see the return of four original cast members, a promising sign considering how strong The Accountant‘s cast was.
Actor:Ben Affleck was born in Berkeley, California, and first broke out directing and starring in the crime drama The Town (2010) and the political thriller Argo (2012), both of which garnered critical and commercial success. Subsequently, he starred in the psychological thriller Gone Girl (2014) and portrayed the superhero Batman in the DC Extended Universe from 2016 to 2023. Affleck also starred in the sports drama The Way Back (2020) and played supporting roles in dramas like The Last Duel (2021), The Tender Bar (2021), and Air (2023), the latter of which he also directed.
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Character: In The Accountant, Ben Affleck plays Christian Wolff, a prodigious accountant diagnosed with autism during childhood. Transitioning from a military career, he now thrives in the realm of creative and forensic accounting, servicing both legal enterprises and illicit ventures for some of the most dangerous criminals in the world. His upbringing, which involved rigorous training in hand-to-hand combat and firearms, rendered him highly proficient and adaptable, enabling survival amidst the intricate web of the criminal underworld. This anti-hero stands as a pinnacle of mathematical brilliance, drawing comparisons to legends like Albert Einstein and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from a tender age.
Actor: Born in Portland, Maine, Anna Kendrick made her film debut in the musical comedy Camp (2003). She took on a supporting role in The Twilight Saga (2008–2011) and first received immense critical acclaim for her performance in the comedy romance Up in the Air (2009), which was further solidified by her leading role in the Pitch Perfect film series (2012–2017). On TV, she garnered acclaim for her role in the short-form comedy series Dummy (2020) and also starred in the romantic comedy series Love Life (2021–2022).
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Character: Dana Cummings is an accountant employed at Living Robotics, whose keen eye detects anomalies within their financial records. While she may not possess Wolff’s extraordinary mathematical prowess, Dana can grasp his deductions and identify discrepancies in the books. She exudes charm, friendliness, and enthusiasm. Dana’s endearing qualities bring out Christian’s own nerdy tendencies as they bond over their shared fascination with the intricacies of Living Robotics’ finances. However, her involvement in uncovering the company’s embezzlement places her in grave danger, prompting Christian to swiftly intervene and ensure her safety.
Actor: Born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, J. K. Simmons is regarded as one of the foremost character actors of his generation, having featured in over 200 film and television roles. His portrayal of Terence Fletcher in Whiplash (2014) garnered him widespread acclaim, while he is perhaps most recognized for his portrayal of J. Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007). His versatility shines through in numerous supporting roles in The Cider House Rules (1999), Thank You for Smoking (2005), Juno (2007), Up in the Air (2009), La La Land (2016), Justice League (2017), and Palm Springs (2020).
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Character: Ray King holds the position of Director at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) within the United States Department of the Treasury. His primary responsibility is to pursue and investigate the enigmatic accountant Wolff, who offers his expertise to various criminal entities. Ray King is resolute in his mission to expose Wolff’s true identity and ensure he faces legal consequences. Initially, King views his career as unremarkable and marred by mishandling the Francis Silverberg case. However, his trajectory shifts dramatically after Wolff begins sharing information about his clients, propelling King’s career to new heights.
Jon Bernthal as Brax (Braxton): John Bernthal is known for his roles in series like The Punisher (2017 – 2019), The Walking Dead (2010 – 2022), Daredevil (2015 – 2018), and The Bear (2022–Present). The American actor also featured in the war film Fury (2014). In The Accountant, he plays Christian Wolff’s brother, who operates a security company for high-profile clients.
Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Marybeth Medina: Cynthia Addai-Robinson plays the role of Marybeth Medina, a young Treasury agent given the responsibility of finding the real identity of the accountant. Addai-Robinson has gained recognition for her portrayals of Naevia in the Starz television series Spartacus (2010–2013), the DC Comics character Amanda Waller in The CW TV series Arrow (2012–2020), and Nadine Memphis on the USA Network series Shooter (2016–2018). Presently, she essays the character Tar-Míriel in the Amazon Prime series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022–Present).
Jeffrey Tambor as Francis Silverberg: Jeffrey Tambor is known for his television roles as Jeffrey Brookes in the sitcom The Ropers (1979–1980), Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show (1992–1998), George Bluth Sr. and Oscar Bluth on Arrested Development (2003–2006, 2013, 2018–2019) and Maura Pfefferman on Transparent (2014–2017). In The Accountant, he plays Francis Silverberg, who was previously a bookkeeper for the Mafia. He teaches Wolff the art of money laundering when they are in prison together.
John Lithgow as Lamar Blackburn: John Lithgow plays the role of Lamar Blackburn, the CEO of Living Robotics, the firm that Wolff is hired to audit. Lithgow played the character Dick Solomon in the television sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001), and is known for playing Arthur Mitchell in the drama series Dexter (2009) and Winston Churchill in the Netflix drama series The Crown (2016–2019). His notable credits also include starring roles in HBO’s Perry Mason (2020) and FX’s The Old Man (2022).