Aaron Sorkin says Jesse Eisenberg declined to reprise Zuckerberg role in sequel

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin disclosed that actor Jesse Eisenberg declined to reprise his role as Mark Zuckerberg in the sequel to The Social Network, titled The Social Reckoning, which is slated to open on Oct. 9. Sorkin said he had been close to completing the script when he approached Eisenberg, sending him a draft and assuming the actor would accept.

"I knew what the studio was offering him to do it, but money does not motivate Jesse. It’s infuriating," Sorkin told Entertainment Weekly, adding that Eisenberg prefers not to be associated with the Zuckerberg character any longer. Sorkin spent a weekend attempting to persuade Eisenberg, preparing an outline of arguments highlighting the role’s significance. When Eisenberg remained uninterested, Sorkin ultimately cast Jeremy Strong as Zuckerberg in September. The Social Reckoning, written and directed by Sorkin, will focus on a 2021 leak that exposed alleged harms caused by Facebook. The film also features Mikey Madison as whistleblower Frances Haugen, Jeremy Allen White as journalist Jeff Horwitz, and supporting performances by Bill Burr, Wunmi Mosaku, Billy Magnussen and Betty Gilpin.