Why Jesse Eisenberg Didn't Return as Mark Zuckerberg for The Social Reckoning

Aaron Sorkin says Jesse Eisenberg chose not to return for The Social Reckoning, the companion piece to 2010's The Social Network. Sony released the first trailer this week, and the new film casts Jeremy Strong as an older Mark Zuckerberg. Sorkin spent three days trying to persuade Eisenberg to come back, but Eisenberg declined.

Sorkin said Eisenberg "simply did not want to be conflated with Mark Zuckerberg anymore, that he has his problems with the guy," and added, "He doesn't like kids coming up to him in airports with business cards that say 'I'm CEO, b*tch' for him to sign." Sorkin did not want to speak on Eisenberg's behalf beyond that explanation.

Eisenberg had previously suggested he felt he had outgrown the character, leaving the part open to be recast.

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