Ben Affleck a math whiz with dark secrets in 'The Accountant'

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Ben Affleck plays a math genius with plenty of secrets in the new movie "The Accountant."

His character is a whiz with numbers, and while he appears mild mannered to many of his clients, he secretly works for some of the world's most dangerous crime lords.

You wouldn't know it at first sight, but the character is also a trained martial artist and marksman.

He also happens to be on the autism spectrum.

Prior to the start of filming, Affleck and director Gavin O'Connor engaged in extensive research with autism experts.

"Ultimately what we were just trying to do is tell a story and make a good movie," said Affleck. "And we were responsible to that community to portray the character as accurately as we possibly could."

Oscar winner and co-star J.K. Simmons was impressed by the amount of research that went into the film.

"One of the first things that they became aware of is when you meet a person with autism you've met one person with autism," said Simmons. "And that each is unique just as each of us is unique in life."

Affleck said learning more about autism also opened the door for him to be able to have a good conversation with his own kids about people on the spectrum.

"Just the opportunity to have a talk about how all of us are very different," said Affleck. "Some of us see the world in very different ways and this condition that makes you different but it can also make you special and that could be really cool as well. So hopefully my kids got that."

"The Accountant" opens in theaters Friday and is rated R for strong violence and language.