Ben Affleck on Filming in LA, 'Dogma' Re-release, and Autism Depiction in 'The Accountant 2'

Filming in Los Angeles

• 🎬 Ben Affleck emphasizes the importance of filming in Los Angeles, highlighting the world-class crews and talented artists available.
• 💡 He notes that while California has sometimes taken the industry for granted, initiatives like increased tax rebates are helping, though they still don't fully compete with international tax incentives.
• 📉 The departure of film production to other states due to better tax deals is seen as a significant loss for the local economy and skilled technicians.

'Dogma' and Accessibility

• 📜 Affleck recounts his mission to rewatch Kevin Smith's 1999 film 'Dogma', noting its prior inaccessibility due to legal issues.
• ⏳ He expresses relief that the film has been re-released, making it available for him to show his children, contrasting this with the ubiquitous nature of online content.
• 🌟 The cast of 'Dogma', including Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, and Salma Hayek, is remembered fondly as a "cool cast".

Depicting Autism in 'The Accountant 2'

• 🧠 Affleck discusses his approach to portraying an autistic assassin in 'The Accountant 2', prioritizing authenticity, integrity, compassion, and empathy.
• 🌱 He shares that his understanding and compassion for the character have deepened since the first film, acknowledging the humor, warmth, and wonder often present beneath the surface.
• 🤝 A key insight is the shared human challenge of decoding social signals and forming connections, which is central to both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals.
• ✨ The goal was to tell the story with the grace and care it demands and deserves, focusing on the universal aspects of human connection.