Fans bewildered by actor 'set to replace' Jesse Eisenberg in Social Network 2
They've called the move 'odd' and questioned its impact on the film's success.
There's been a flurry of reports regarding a sequel to the 2010 Oscar-winning movie about the birth of social media platform Facebook and its founder.
In June, it was said that original writer Aaron Sorkin had found the right angle for the second movie after teasing the possibility for years and was confirmed to direct it as well, replacing original director David Fincher.
According to Deadline, insiders revealed its title was currently The Social Network Part II although it was 'not a straight sequel' to the first movie, which also featured actors Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Max Minghella and Armie Hammer.
Since then, the publication has reported that Sorkin is also keen to cast this year's best actress Academy Award winner Mikey Madison, from Anora, and The Bear's Jeremy Allen White, who will soon be seen in the lead role in Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me from Nowhere.
But the latest report reveals that Succession star Jeremy Strong is being eyed by Sorkin to play Zuckerberg, whose company has rebranded as Meta, having had a meeting with the filmmaker.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, a source claimed that A Real Pain star and scribe Eisenberg – who was nominated for an Oscar for his work in the first film – had 'passed, at least at this time' on the opportunity to reprise the role.
'As much as I love Jeremy Strong he needs to pass on this. This will not help his career. Without Eisenberg, they should cancel this or find a way into the story without Zuckerberg as a character,' announced @WhereIsBatman89 on X, while another fan insisted: 'Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg or this movie is dead on arrival.'
'We do not want him. Bring Jesse back,' commented Poppy, while @DxTCinema asked: 'Why why why we want Jesse.'
Meanwhile fan Chandler called the casting rumour 'odd' and others shared their confusion over a lack of immediate similarity in Strong's and Zuckerberg's looks.
'Ah yes that's perfect they look like twins,' quipped Michael K, while Joelyn added: 'The resemblance is uncanny.'
But others were thrilled at the prospect of Strong, who also impressed with his turn as Donald Trump's ruthless mentor Roy Cohn in The Apprentice – for which he was Oscar nominated for best supporting actor.
'YUP let's go. His Oscar is loading,' tweeted Mikayla Davis, with Abhinav adding: 'This cast is WILD. If the script hits, we're looking at another awards season sweep.'
'Trying to be calm about this but Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg is one of the most insane casting coups in history, like we need to give them an Oscar for even thinking about this,' enthused @paaarth319.
The Social Network Part II will focus on Facebook's role in the light of the spreading of misinformation ahead of the attempted coup on January 6, 2021 in America, as well as its impact on its young users and violence, and in countries beyond the US too. More Trending
It's understood Madison, if she accepts the role, would play whistleblower Frances Haugen, the data engineer who went to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Wall Street Journal.
White would be former WSJ tech reporter Jeff Horwitz, who wrote the publication's explosive Facebook Files series of articles based on her information.
There was also recognition that Strong could be in contention for a role other than that of Zuckerberg, as there is said to be a part available as a WSJ editor too.
Metro has contacted reps for Jeremy Strong and Jesse Eisenberg for comment.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Fast and Furious villain warns they're 'ready to go' for final sequel appearance
MORE: Terrifying trailer drops for horror sequel to 'the scariest franchise to ever exist'
MORE: Comedy that made critics 'laugh until it hurts' earns surprise 91% on Rotten Tomatoes
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Dolly Parton named Guinness World Records icon
Her record titles include most consecutive decades with top 10 album entries on the Billboard country chart, most studio albums released by a female country singer, and most Grammy nominations for a female country artist. Dolly Parton with the Guinness World Records 2026 book (Dolly Parton/PA) She was also the first country singer to be nominated for the Egot – an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony – aka the 'Grand Slam of showbusiness'. Craig Glenday, editor in chief at Guinness World Records, said: 'Dolly is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated writers and performers in the history of country music, as reflected in her many Guinness World Records certificates, but her reach and influence extends far beyond the musical world. 'There are so many projects close to her heart – poverty relief, education, medical research and of course the Imagination Library free-books campaign – and it's these important, life-changing initiatives that propels Dolly into a different league. She truly is a living legend, and it's an honour to bestow GWR Icon status upon her.' Guinness World Records published its first book in London in 1955 and has sold more than 143 million copies in over 100 countries since then. Dolly Parton has 11 world record titles (Dolly Parton/PA) The Icon certificate has previously been awarded to stars including Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Drake, Sir Paul McCartney, and Sir Elton John. Parton, who is from Tennessee, released her debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly in 1967 and had a run of hits in the 1970s. By the 1980s she was a huge star and made her movie debut in screwball comedy 9 To 5. Her most recent album was Rockstar, released in 2023, and she recently featured in a version of Sabrina Carpenter's Please Please Please. She is also the co-owner of the Dollywood Company, which operates Dollywood, a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Jessie J targeted by vile trolls after sharing heartbreak over Hamas hostage video
Jessie J, who this week spoke candidly about her ongoing health struggles following recent surgery for breast cancer, received a torrent of online abuse after an Instagram post Jessie J faced a torrent on online abuse after she shared her sadness at footage of an Israeli hostage captured by Hamas. The singer, 37, called images of emaciated Evyatar David "heartbreaking" as he was forced to dig what appeared to be his own grave. She wrote on Instagram: "I just cannot bear the evil in this world. Please, God, make the suffering end." The Brit Award-winning musician also included a quote from a pro-Israel activist in her post to her 14 million Instagram followers. However, trolls targeted the star, who was recently rushed to hospital with an infection weeks after breast cancer surgery. The abuse comes after Katie Price recently worried her fans on Instagram with a family photo. Following her post, Jessie, from Chadwell Heath, east London, was branded a "disgusting Zionist" while another troll called her a "terrorist and baby killer supporter" among the sickening barrage of abuse. Another vile troll claimed she was trying to keep her "Zio bosses happy". The musician, who has had three UK number one singles, had referred to a hostage who was abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, massacre at the Nova music festival. He has been held in Gaza for the 668 days since then. In addition to her own thoughts, mum-of-one Jessie included a quote from the poem, which read: "I thought images of starved Jews digging their own graves would forever be confined to history books. To see the past become present is a horror. Never Again. Again." Some, though, showed the Londoner their support, thanking her for bringing the horrors to the attention of social media users. One person posted: "Thank for speaking out about the actual horrors going on." Another said: "Thank you for your bravery in speaking out against the treatment of the starving hostages." It was another emotional post from the star, famed for tunes such as Domino and Price Tag, following ones about her health battle. After she was rushed to hospital weeks after her cancer operation, Jessie J joked: "Apparently it's called… Dramatic? I think that's the spelling. My symptoms are the same and no idea what's wrong yet. But my sarcasm and sense of humour are holding on." Filming herself for what she called her first "real‑time" update since her operation, Jessie admitted: "I think people think I'm hanging on by a thread… which in some moments has felt that way." The singer added: "Like two or three days ago when I woke up and I couldn't breathe. I still have pain in my chest when I breathe, but it's not as bad."
Powys County Times
5 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs denied release from jail to await sentencing
Sean 'Diddy' Combs cannot go home from jail to await sentencing on his prostitution-related conviction, a judge said on Monday, denying the rap and style mogul's latest bid for bail. Combs has been behind bars since his September arrest. He faced federal charges of coercing girlfriends into having drug-fuelled sex marathons with male sex workers while he watched and filmed them. He was acquitted last month of the top charges – racketeering and sex trafficking – while being convicted of two counts of a prostitution-related offence. The conviction carries the potential for up to 10 years in prison. But there are complicated federal guidelines for calculating sentences in any given case, and prosecutors and Combs' lawyers disagree substantially on how the guidelines come out for his case. The guidelines are not mandatory, and Judge Arun Subramanian will have wide latitude in deciding Combs' punishment. The Bad Boy Records founder, now 55, was for decades a huge figure in pop culture. A Grammy-winning hip hop artist and entrepreneur with a flair for finding and launching big talents, he presided over a business empire that ranged from fashion to reality TV. Prosecutors claimed he used his fame, wealth and violence to force and manipulate two now-ex-girlfriends into days-long, drugged-up sexual performances he called 'freak-offs' or 'hotel nights'. His lawyers argued that the government tried to criminalise consensual, if unconventional, sexual tastes that played out in complicated relationships. The defence acknowledged that Combs had violent outbursts but said nothing he did came amounted to the crimes with which he was charged. Since the verdict, his lawyers have repeatedly renewed their efforts to get him out on bail until his sentencing, set for October. They have argued that the acquittals undercut the rationale for holding him, and they have pointed to other people who were released before sentencing on similar convictions. Defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo suggested in a court filing that Combs was the United States' 'only person in jail for hiring adult male escorts for him and his girlfriend'. The defence's most recent proposal included a 50 million-dollar (£37.6 million) bond and travel restrictions and expressed openness to adding on house arrest at his Miami home, electronic monitoring, private security guards and other requirements. Prosecutors opposed releasing Combs. They wrote that his 'extensive history of violence — and his continued attempt to minimise his recent violent conduct – demonstrates his dangerousness and that he is not amendable to supervision'.
