The Accountant 3 chances are addressed by key team members ahead of the sequel’s release. Gavin O’Connor directed the original 2016 conspiracy thriller, whose plot focuses on a certified public accountant who decides to make most of his money doing shady under-the-table accounting for criminal organizations. Ben Affleck portrayed the lead role, and almost a decade later, the sequel film The Accountant 2 is preparing for release, which will see him return.

Speaking with Vanity Fair, Affleck and O’Connor addressed the chances of The Accountant 3. O’Connor already had ideas brewing for another installment, saying he’s “been thinking about it for a lot of years.” Affleck remained cognizant that they would have to “earn another movie” to make The Accountant 3. Check out the full quotes from Affleck and O’Connor below:

O’Connor: I have a lot of thoughts about what to do with the third. I’ve been thinking about it for a lot of years.

Affleck: I’m keenly aware of the fact that you kind of have to earn another movie. The worst pitfall is to store a bunch of your good ideas for the next installment. If you don’t create an interest demand the first time out there, you’re just going to be playing that to an empty house.

What This Means For The Accountant Franchise

The Accountant 2 Has To Do Well

The Accountant had a fairly large audience attached to it when it was first released. Made on an estimated budget of $44 million, the 2016 thriller turned a profit by making over $155 million worldwide. The Accountant‘s reviews were mixed, as the movie’s Tomatometer was a rotten 53%. However, it fared better with audiences, landing a 77% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this inconsistent reception, The Accountant managed to secure a sequel.

However, the extensive delay for the sequel makes it uncertain how well it will perform ahead of its release. There has been a demand for it over the years, and Affleck is the biggest draw for what could become a major franchise. However, the near decade-long wait could cause some potential moviegoers to lose interest in the follow-up. As such, the viability of The Accountant 3 likely depends on how well the second film does in theaters when it releases on April 25. If it is successful, O’Connor might be able to fulfill his vision.

Our Take On The Accountant 3 Chances

The Accountant 3 Cannot Wait As Long

If The Accountant 3 does get off the ground, O’Connor and his team should work to make the project faster than they did for the second installment. As it stands, the second movie is arriving nearly a full decade after the first film hit theaters. This long gap could not be sustained a second time while still keeping the audience’s attention. There is more to be explored in The Accountant universe, but it may not be a saga that people keep coming back to years later.

Source: VF