Ben Affleck in talks to play assassin in “The Accountant” thriller

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ben Affleck may have found his next bigscreen role, Variety said.

Sources tell Variety that the “Gone Girl” and “Batman v Superman” actor is in negotiations to star in action thriller “The Accountant” for Warner Bros.

Gavin O’Connor (“Warrior”) is said to be WB’s top choice to direct the film, although no offer has been made.

Based on an original script by Bill Dubuque, “The Accountant” centers on a mild-mannered accountant who moonlights as a lethal assassin.

The project had been in development limbo for years, most recently at Sony, with Will Smith once attached to the project, but was eventually put into turnaround after the studio could not assemble the right package. WB originally had rights to “The Accountant” with Mel Gibson attached to direct. Insiders tell Variety Affleck recently caught wind of the project and thought it would be a nice change of pace before directing “Live By Night,” which will not begin filming until July.

Mark Williams and Lynette Howell are producing the film. Drew Crevello and Jon Gonda will oversee for Warner Bros.

The role gives the multi-hyphenate another gritty role to sink his teeth into following his rave reviews in David Fincher’s “Gone Girl,” which opens Friday, Oct 3.

Affleck will head back to Detroit to resume filming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” once he finishes campaigning for “Gone Girl.”