When Scott Adkins says he’s creating his dream project, I pay attention. Who am I kidding? I pay attention to everything Scott Adkins does. But it should be stated that very few in the filmmaking industry really put it out there regarding their dream projects. That adds a level of pressure, doesn’t it? Regardless, if you had asked a young Scott Adkins about his dream role, he would have told you he wanted to adapt UK comic book Toxic!, about British hitman Mike Fallon, known as the Accident Man for perpetrating hits that always look like accidents.

Watching Accident Man as a well-documented fan of Adkins’ career is a hugely satisfying experience for a variety of reasons. As a fan, regardless of the outcome of the final film, one has to be encouraged to see the hard work and talents of a filmmaker pay off in such a unique way as they do here. Adkins has been the hardest working man in action cinema for a decade now. He’s the best at what he does. There’s a drive in him that can’t be ignored and shows through in his work. Now, take that drive, and add to it the lifelong dream of bringing a certain story to the big screen. Adkins negotiated and secured the rights to the project, co-wrote the script with lifelong friend Stu Small, executive produced the project, hand-picked director Jesse V. Johnson whom he had worked with previously on Savage Dog, and proceeded to make the project of his dreams a reality. Loading the cast with a plethora of acting and action talent and pushing himself in the most humorous and wordy performance of his own acting career, one can’t help but feel a sense of appreciation and satisfaction when taking in the final product that is Accident Man.

As huge of a fan as I am of Scott Adkins, I try to go into his work as honestly as possible. And to be honest, the primary reason I follow this guy is because he’s got amazing, game-changing talent as an onscreen fighter. The guy brings the hand-to-hand goods time and again. But I’d never have accused him of being well rounded. He’s handsome, he puts in the effort with his fight talent, and he’s managed to will a career in exactly the corner of cinema that best fits his skill sets. And he’s done a damn good job of that. But Accident Man is the first project I’ve seen in which Adkins’ sense of humor and talents as a writer or producer have really been on display. He did a film called El Gringo years back that was going for the action/comedy vibe, and while it was appreciated, it didn’t quite stick the landing. And while Yuri Boyka remains Adkins’ most iconic role, Mike Fallon pushes the envelope for the star. Fallon is biting; a sociopath with an extremely British sense of humor. Fallon (and Adkins’ own screenplay) give Adkins the actor his most well-rounded performance (and overall project) to date.

Accident Man introduces us to a whole cadre of killers, all of whom congregate at Big Ray’s pub to socialize, toss back a pint, and receive their assignments. Real actor Ray Stevenson has a blast here as the retired killer who keeps this salty crew in line. Other real actor David Paymer plays Milton, the weasley go-between for the killers and clients. Right there you’ve got a more compelling cast than most any other Adkins offering could afford. Then throw on top of that Michael Jai White and Ray Park as killer duo Mick & Mac, and a villainess (of sorts) in rising action talent Amy Johnston, and you’ve got an action fan’s dream cast.