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Renowned actors and long-time friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck made a notable appearance in Austin, Texas, to commemorate the premiere of their film The Accountant 2 at the SXSW Film and Television Festival. The sequel, produced under their joint venture Artists Equity, is the latest collaboration for the award-winning duo.
On the red carpet prior to the premiere, Affleck reflected on the significance of genuine friendships in his life. “We don’t have many friends—none of us really do. What matters is having a few good ones, and I feel fortunate to have Matt as a friend,” Affleck remarked, highlighting the bond between the two actors.
While Affleck engaged with the media, Damon chose to keep a low profile, having just arrived from filming Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, where he plays the lead role of Odysseus. The film boasts an impressive cast, including Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Lupita Nyong’o, among others.
The Accountant 2 marks a significant return for Affleck, co-star Jon Bernthal, and director Gavin O’Connor, following the original film’s successful release in 2016, which grossed over $155 million globally. The sequel continues the story of Christian Wolff, portrayed by Affleck, who is an accountant with autism aiding criminal enterprises in financial manipulation. In this installment, the plot unfolds after the murder of a former associate, compelling Wolff to delve into a deeper investigation and resort to more drastic actions. Bernthal returns as Brax, Wolff’s brother and a formidable assassin, while Cynthia Addai-Robinson and J.K. Simmons reprise their roles from the original.
Initial reactions to the premiere were positive, with many attendees noting that the film’s evolution into a buddy comedy dynamic between Affleck and Bernthal provided a refreshing update that surpassed its predecessor.
After the screening, Affleck humorously admitted that among the various stunts in the film, mastering a line-dancing scene was surprisingly one of the toughest challenges he faced. With a playful tone, he quipped, “After all that training, I think Tom Cruise has nothing on me when it comes to line dancing.”
The development of The Accountant 2 into a buddy comedy is evident, as Amazon unveiled a teaser showcasing an engaging road trip scenario between the two lead characters in the days leading up to the premiere.
“The journey of friendship and adventure is what we wanted to capture. The Accountant 2 is set to hit theaters on April 25,” the teaser highlighted, building anticipation around the film.
Reflecting on his experience working with Affleck, Bernthal expressed deep admiration, stating, “Ben is a hero of mine. He’s not just an incredible artist; he’s a genuinely wonderful person. Usually, making movies feels like a struggle for me, but collaborating with him was effortless.”
Following its theatrical release, The Accountant 2 is also planned to be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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www.goldderby.com