Movies

The Accountant 2: Cynthia Addai-Robinson on Working with Ben Affleck & Jon Bernthal

BBG News

Actress Cynthia Addai-Robinson recently chatted with Russ Milheim from TopMob, discussing her role in the upcoming film “The Accountant 2”. She shared insights about reprising her character after a nine-year gap, and expressed excitement about collaborating with Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal for the first time.

Back in 2016, the initial film won over countless hearts, ultimately resulting in a follow-up being produced nine years after its release.

In this latest undertaking, Marybeth Medina played by Robinson, joins forces with Christian Wolff portrayed by Affleck and Braxton character acted by Bernthal, aiming to expose a perilous plot.

Cynthia Addai-Robinson on Teaming Up With Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal

“I’m Calling Us an Odd Throuple…”

  • TopMob: “The big thing this time around is, not only does Medina get to come across Wolff again, but she gets to team up with him instead of hunting down. How did that change the dynamics at play with these characters?”

Cynthia Addai-Robinson: In the initial film, it wasn’t just the characters I was fond of, but also the opportunity as an actor to collaborate with Ben. Regrettably, we didn’t share any scenes in the first movie. I would often study his picture and spotted him once on the very first day and again on the final day.

As a film enthusiast, it’s simply thrilling to find myself face-to-face with the legendary figure of Christian Wolff. I can hardly believe it; this mythical character from my screen time is now a reality, and we’re joining forces. It’s going to be fascinating to observe his methods at such close quarters.

Working with someone and studying about them are two different experiences altogether. While it’s intriguing to comprehend a person through written material, nothing beats the real-life interaction. That’s why I was thrilled when I found out that I would be collaborating with Ben and Jon.

1) I haven’t collaborated with them before, so I wasn’t aware of the workflow. However, it turned out that the dynamic worked brilliantly for the characters since they were all interacting in real-time, attempting to circle around each other and comprehend one another. To put it simply, we can refer to us as an unconventional trio.

  • TopMob: “It’s a risky choice. I think, for someone who, you’re hunting Wolff, and he’s kind of this big bad guy in some ways. What does Medina envision to be the worst case scenario when she initiates this, and she’s seeing how this might play out, how badly could it go? And what is that risk that she’s taking?”

Addai-Robinson: I believe the most pessimistic outcome for her could be that she’s pulled into his world of underhanded dealings. However, what truly motivates her and shapes her life is a combination of seeking justice and employing every legal means available to apprehend the wrongdoers.

And isn’t it true that this boundary can be crossed, correct? However, when does the boundary get overstepped as she receives these valuable insights for tackling complex cases in the Treasury Department? This raises a question about limits.

It seems quite challenging for her, and at some stage, it feels as if I could manage this task alone, my friends. Despite our shared goal, it’s important to remember that we are each unique individuals.

In essence, the movie takes us on a journey, showing her evolution from start to finish as she grapples with the question of justice and finds her own path towards achieving it.

Cynthia Addai-Robinson on Jon Bernthal’s Braxton in The Accountant 2

“It’s Like Watching a Ping Pong Match…”

  • TopMob: “We mentioned Jon Bernthal’s Braxton, who gets to join the party with you and Ben. Can you talk more about how awesome it was to work alongside both Ben and Jon? And what were some of those scenes that you got to be a part of with them, that you were like, Man,I didn’t think that I would get to do this?”

As a film enthusiast, I find myself utterly captivated, almost as if I’m witnessing an exceptional stage performance from the front row. Yet, it feels surreal when when I, unexpectedly, become part of the action. It’s like watching a riveting game of ping-pong between these two on-screen brothers and these two remarkable actors, who effortlessly pass the proverbial ball back and forth.

They each possess unique approaches that perfectly fit their respective characters. For instance, Jon often delivers spontaneous remarks, while Ben responds instantaneously, leaving me struggling to keep up and occasionally feeling the need to avoid appearing inferior in our on-screen dynamic.

It was incredibly enjoyable, and I felt thrilled to be collaborating with professionals whom I deeply respect for their high-caliber work. Essentially, I was eager to learn from and contribute to this talented group, so working together felt like being invited to an exclusive creative gathering.

  • TopMob: “On a character level, how does Medina see Braxton compared to Wolff?

Cynthia Addai-Robinson suggests that Braxton appears as a much more dangerous and unfavorable choice to her. She believes the element of unpredictability, where you’re unsure about a person’s actions, leaves her feeling powerless in managing the situation.

It seems she prefers to manage, direct, and supervise the plan, and anyone causing disruption or disturbance in this process might unsettle her. In such a case, she might feel inclined to handle the situation directly.

She seems to be relying on Christian to determine if this situation is indeed moving forward, and whether her involvement is warranted, considering your guidance. In essence, she’s questioning if she should proceed based on your counsel.

Well, it appears that in certain aspects, they seem to be at opposite ends of the legal spectrum. But in a different world, or perhaps reincarnated, they might just be sharing a drink together, wouldn’t that be something? The future is uncertain.

  • TopMob: “Does Medina have any chaotic siblings on her own?

In the initial film, it’s clear that her character has a sibling, and essentially, during their younger years, she wound up in the care of authorities, such as juvenile detention facilities, due to a pattern of physically confronting individuals who held power over them.

It seems to me that there’s an underlying feeling of being a guardian. Also, at a critical juncture in her life, there was a possibility for Mary Beth Medina to join the ranks of criminals, but instead, she chose a different route.

Indeed, it seems to me she would forge a unique bond with her sibling. Yet, isn’t it fascinating how intricate relationships can be among people who are like siblings? This film, I believe, encapsulates that complexity best.

It seems to me that many people find a sibling relationship quite relatable because it often involves feelings of deep friendship as well as intense disagreements, encompassing all the complexities in between. This sentiment seems to strike a chord with a great number of individuals.

Returning as Marybeth Medina After Nine Years for The Accountant 2

Returning Was Almost Like A High School Reunion

  • TopMob: “It’s been nine years since that first movie on a personal level, and as a performer, how different of a place were you in coming into this movie compared to the first one?”

Cynthia Addai-Robinson: Nine years ago, my life looked completely different from what it is now when I reflect on it – in a delightful manner, as I get ready for tonight’s premiere (on April 16, 2025), since we have our grand red carpet event this evening, I find myself reminiscing about the first premiere, which was essentially my debut on a real red carpet and my first big studio movie. The experience was absolutely exhilarating and filled me with excitement.

It seemed as if my dreams had materialized, just as I had imagined when contemplating life as a Hollywood actor. In essence, I experienced something akin to that realization long ago.

Reflecting upon it now, I find myself feeling more balanced and self-assured, much like the transformation Marybeth Medina’s character has undergone over the past nine years. There seems to be a striking similarity between my personal journey and her character’s progression.

  • TopMob: “It must have felt kind of like a high school reunion in a lot of ways, because a lot of the people are from the first movie, and then being able to just reunite after so long.”

Cynthia Addai-Robinson affirmed, “Absolutely! It’s not just the on-screen talent returning, but there are numerous individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes. Our writer, Bill Dubuque, director, Gavin O’Connor, producer Lynette Howell, and our camera crew are all crucial parts of this project.

As I stepped onto set for the first time, it felt like running into old friends I hadn’t seen in a while. Plus, filming in Los Angeles this time around was a delightful throwback to where we began our cinematic journey, which initially took place in Atlanta. It was an enchanting mix of familiarity that offered comfort and new faces that added excitement to the crew…

I believe we’ve developed something that should delight longtime fans of the original film, offering them fresh content they might find themselves rewatching over and over again, much like they did with the first one.

  • TopMob: “When audiences first see Medina in this second film, where is she mentally and just professionally, where does she start this journey at?”

In a way, Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s character might be similar to the new version of Ray King. Towards the end of the first film, it appears that Ray is passing on his role, symbolically speaking. Additionally, the movie also features a time leap.

In this narrative, there is an eight-year leap forward in time, and we find her at a prestigious position within the Treasury Department. However, with this professional advancement comes feelings of impostor syndrome – questions about whether she truly deserves this position based on her own merits, or if she would have reached this level had she followed the more conventional career path.

Initially, she feels a hint of unease, yet soon enough, she finds herself embarking on an adventure. This adventure brings her close to the very man she had been chasing for years, who turns out to be none other than The Accountant.

  • TopMob: “Has the thought of Wolff kind of getting away been a heavy burden to her over these years?”

Cynthia Addai-Robinson: I’m not sure if it’s a heavy load, but I believe there’s a weight for someone who strongly upholds justice and the law on their conscience when they find themselves having to bend the rules for the greater good. This creates discomfort and complex situations that need justification.

In essence, I believe their encounter will be marked by a stark contrast: while one adheres to the rules, the other seemingly ignores them. Yet, they share a common goal and are both engaged in an attempt to decipher this shared conundrum.

As a cinephile, I must admit that the tension in the film stems from these characters butting heads. Yet, the sequel cleverly uses their mismatch for comedic effect, which I found absolutely hilarious! I believe this unexpected dose of humor will be a delightful surprise for moviegoers.

The full interview can be viewed here:

The Accountant 2 hits theaters on April 25, 2025.

Don’t forget to take a look at some past interviews that TopMob conducted with Cynthia Addai-Robinson, focusing on “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”.

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2025-04-21 20:39

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