Ben Affleck is thrilled to be reuniting with longtime friend and co-star Jon Bernthal for the highly anticipated sequel The Accountant 2.
The duo, who shared intense screen chemistry in the original action thriller, are set to bring back the high-stakes world of numbers and assassins. However, when it comes to stepping into Bernthal’s darker Marvel territory as Frank Castle, a.k.a. the Punisher, Affleck is perfectly content staying on the sidelines.
In a candid chat with CinemaBlend, Affleck shared his admiration for Bernthal’s performance in Daredevil: Born Again, where the actor returns as the no-holds-barred vigilante. “Well, his Punisher is good,” Affleck acknowledged with a smile. “He really gets what that character is about.”
Reflecting on his own past as Marvel’s Daredevil in the 2003 film, Affleck discussed how far the genre has come. “Back then, there wasn’t really a clear vision of tone. Kevin Feige came in later and figured out how to blend humor, grit, and visual effects in a way that worked. That clarity opened the door for actors like Bernthal to take these roles seriously and really bring them to life,” he said.
While Affleck appreciates the complexity of the new Marvel era, he made it clear that he’s not interested in jumping back into that universe—especially not next to Bernthal’s ferocious Punisher. “Look, I haven’t seen the new Daredevil yet, but I love the character. Still, I wouldn’t tangle with his Punisher. That’s his arena, and he owns it,” Affleck added with a chuckle.
Since Affleck’s version of Daredevil, the character has evolved, finding renewed life through the acclaimed Netflix series from 2015 to 2018, and now through its Disney+ revival. Meanwhile, Bernthal’s portrayal of Frank Castle continues to receive praise for its raw, unflinching intensity.
With The Accountant 2 ramping up production, fans can look forward to seeing Affleck and Bernthal back in action—but in a world of spreadsheets, silencers, and shadowy hits, not spandex and skull logos. And for now, Affleck is happy to let Bernthal carry the Marvel torch solo.