Currently on a brief hiatus from Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, Ben Affleck is deep in press mode for Gone Girl. The mystery thriller-cum-narrative headscratcher is riding a wave of critical praise leading up to its general release this Friday. In the movie, Affleck’s nuanced performance as a troubled husband is proof that his stints in front of the camera are equally as impressive as those behind. While there was a time when it seemed he’d be leaving acting behind – after his Argo Oscar triumph – that’s definitely not the case.
Variety is reporting today that Warner Bros. are courting Affleck for their thriller, The Accountant. Sounds a million miles away from the dark, atmospheric action to which Batman is accustomed. Or does it? A closer look at the brief logline indicates that the movie is more in sync with the masked vigilante than you might first think. The story centres on “a mild-mannered accountant who moonlights as a lethal assassin.” Hmm. To be frank, that’s nigh on identical to his role in BvS. Sure, Bruce Wayne presents himself as a do-gooder, but that doesn’t mean he won’t assassinate if necessary.
Affleck is said to have been enticed by the project as he’d be able to dive straight in after BvS, and before he begins on his next directorial project, Live By Night. Talk about piling your plate. At one point The Accountant had Will Smith attached to star, with Mel Gibson in the director’s chair – which would’ve made for a very, very, different outcome indeed.
While at this point there’s no firm name at the helm, one person who’s caught Warner’s eye is Warrior director, Gavin O’Connor. His previous works showcase a flare for the kinetic that’d likely be ideal for The Accountant‘s hitman office worker. The movie will be shot from a script by Bill DuBuque, whose sole credit thus far is Robert Downey Jr. drama, The Judge.
What do you think, should Affleck become The Accountant? Sound off below!
