Ben Affleck made a surprising declaration at the SXSW premiere of The Accountant 2, playfully claiming that “Tom Cruise has nothing on me.” While Ben Affleck wasn’t referring to jaw-dropping stunts like hanging off skyscrapers or jumping out of planes, he did reveal the unexpected challenge he faced in his latest action film—mastering line dancing.
Affleck’s Take on “Stunt Work”
Speaking at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Affleck shared that he spent “months and months” perfecting his dance moves for the film. “It was a stunt for me,” he joked before adding, “Tom Cruise has nothing on me… in terms of line dancing.” Unlike Cruise, who has become synonymous with high-risk action sequences, Affleck’s preparation for The Accountant 2 took a different form, requiring rhythm rather than adrenaline.
Director Gavin O’Connor added to the humor, revealing that there was even a cut scene where Affleck practiced line dancing in front of a mirror. Laughing at the comment, Affleck responded, “It was a choice! I liked it!”
The Accountant 2: A Long-Awaited Sequel
Affleck reprises his role as Christian Wolff, a brilliant but deadly forensic accountant, in The Accountant 2. The sequel sees Wolff teaming up again with his equally formidable brother Brax (Jon Bernthal) and Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) to unravel a new conspiracy. The film marks Affleck’s return to action after his tenure as Batman, further solidifying his presence in the genre.
Meanwhile, Affleck’s close friend and frequent co-star Matt Damon, who attended the SXSW premiere, has generated buzz for his role as Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming Greek epic. With Damon’s rugged new look making waves online, the duo remains dominant in Hollywood.
Tom Cruise’s Upcoming Movie Faces a Setback
While Affleck was busy comparing lightheartedly to Tom Cruise, the Mission: Impossible star faced an unfortunate delay in his upcoming film.
Production on Cruise’s latest project, an untitled Warner Bros and Legendary film directed by four-time Academy Award winner Alejandro González Iñárritu, was halted due to an on-set injury involving co-star John Goodman. The Roseanne alum, 72, reportedly suffered a hip injury at the UK’s Pinewood Studios. Though Goodman received immediate medical attention, the production was briefly put on hold.
According to Warner Bros, filming will resume following Goodman’s recovery next week. The film also stars Tom Cruise, Goodman, Jesse Plemons, Michael Stuhlbarg, Riz Ahmed, and Sandra Hüller.
A Lighthearted Moment Amid Personal Headlines
Affleck’s playful jab at Cruise comes when the actor’s personal life has been under increased scrutiny. Following his split from Jennifer Lopez, Affleck has been spotted spending more time with his ex wife, Jennifer Garner, fueling speculation about a possible reconciliation. While neither Affleck nor Garner has commented on the rumors, their public outings have sparked widespread interest.
Affleck is focusing on his latest film and enjoying the promotional circuit. Though Cruise may still reign as Hollywood’s stunt king, Affleck has proven that when it comes to dancing, he’s got his moves.
