Jesse Eisenberg not returning for ‘The Social Network’ sequel, Jeremy Strong favourite to replace

Jesse Eisenberg has turned down the opportunity to reprise the role of Facebook founder Mark Zukerberg in a sequel to The Social Network, according to a new report.

The 2010 drama, which documented the early days of the social media giant, earned Eisenberg critical acclaim, as he went on to receive Best Actor nominations at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs for his performance as the future Meta chairman. David Fincher directed the film, with Aaron Sorkin writing the script based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich.

Sorkin is now writing and directing a sequel, inspired by a series of articles Jeff Horwitz wrote for The Wall Street Journal called The Facebook Files. Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, and Jeremy Strong are all said to be in talks for the project, which is said to focus on misinformation spread by social media, as well as the January 6 riots in Washington DC.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Eisenberg has “passed” on playing Zuckerberg again, although the article questions whether it was a “negotiating tactic” on the part of the actor.

While Succession actor Strong’s role is yet to be disclosed, it’s reportedly possible that he may be playing either Zuckerberg himself or a Wall Street Journal editor who features in the story.

Sources cited by the outlet say the film echoes the tone of The Insider, Michael Mann’s 1999 film which focused on whistle-blowing in the tobacco industry. Another source compared it to Spotlight, the 2015 Best Picture Oscar winner following the true story of reporters from the Boston Globe investigating child sex abuse within the Roman Catholic Church. The film’s working title is The Social Network Part II, and no release date has been announced as yet.

Jesse Eisenberg is currently working on the follow up to his Oscar-winning drama A Real Pain, an untitled musical comedy which is being produced by Emma Stone’s production company. He will be seen next in the third Now You See Me movie, which recently unveiled its first trailer.

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