Aaron Sorkin Says It ‘Never Occurred’ to Him That Jesse Eisenberg Wouldn’t Play Mark Zuckerberg in ‘The Social Reckoning,’ Claims the Paycheck Was a ‘Disincentive’
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Newly added comments reveal that Aaron Sorkin was surprised Jesse Eisenberg refused to reprise Mark Zuckerberg in *The Social Reckoning*. Sorkin said he had assumed Eisenberg would agree, prepared arguments to persuade him, and was pleased that their conversations brought the actor closer to changing his mind.
Sorkin said the studio’s sizeable offer did not motivate Eisenberg and might even have discouraged him, as the actor is concerned about raising his children with too much money. Eisenberg has said he is moving in different directions and does not want to be associated with Zuckerberg, though his decision was not a judgement on the film. Jeremy Strong plays Zuckerberg in the sequel, due in cinemas on 9 October; *The Social Network* received eight Oscar nominations and won three.
- Sorkin assumed Eisenberg would return as Zuckerberg.
- A large paycheck did not persuade the actor.
- Jeremy Strong plays Zuckerberg in the sequel.
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The Social Network was a 2010 drama about the early development of Facebook and its co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg. Jesse Eisenberg played Zuckerberg, and his performance earned him an Oscar nomination; the film received eight nominations and won three awards.
Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the original film, is making a follow-up called The Social Reckoning. Jeremy Strong is set to play Zuckerberg in it, after Eisenberg chose not to return, saying he wanted to move in a different direction.