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Pink Villa
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Social Network Part II: Why Jesse Eisenberg Won't Return and Who Might Play Zuckerberg Now
Over a decade after The Social Network first hit theaters, a sequel is officially in the works. Titled The Social Network Part II, the movie is being written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, the screenwriter of the Oscar-winning 2010 film. Unlike the first movie, which focused on Facebook's founding, this follow-up will dive into the platform's more controversial years. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will be based on The Facebook Files by The Wall Street Journal. The story will cover topics like misinformation on Meta platforms, the effects on teenagers, and the company's involvement in events leading up to the January 6 Capitol riot. Jeremy Strong may replace Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg Jesse Eisenberg, who famously portrayed Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg in the original Social Network movie, is not returning for the sequel. As per The Hollywood Reporter, Eisenberg passed on reprising the role. However, sources say this could be a 'negotiation tactic.' Eisenberg is now 41 years old and would need to play a version of Zuckerberg from at least a decade earlier. That may be a reason behind his decision to walk away from The Social Network 2. No official statement has been made by Eisenberg himself. Stepping into the role may be Succession actor Jeremy Strong, though no casting has been confirmed. Strong is 46, which makes him even older than Eisenberg. However, his performance in shows like Succession and films like The Trial of the Chicago 7 makes him a serious contender. His experience in The Apprentice, a film about a young Donald Trump, could also work in his favor. Here's what we know about the new cast and characters Deadline reports that The Bear actor Jeremy Allen White is in early talks to play Jeff Horwitz, the Wall Street Journal reporter who investigated Meta. Mikey Madison, known for Anora and Better Things, is reportedly being considered for the role of Frances Haugen, the Facebook whistleblower. No casting decisions have been made official yet. As of now, no actors have signed on to the project, and no offers have been confirmed. The Social Network Part II is currently in development. The film does not yet have an official release date. It was announced in June 2025 and is expected to be set around 2021, the time The Facebook Files were published. The new film will focus on the internal operations of Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook. It aims to highlight how Facebook allegedly ignored internal warnings about its impact on mental health and democracy.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Jeremy Strong in talks for ‘The Social Network' sequel as Jesse Eisenberg bows out
Jeremy Strong is in discussions to join the cast of The Social Network Part II, the upcoming sequel to Aaron Sorkin's Oscar-winning 2010 drama. The Succession star is reportedly one of several high-profile actors in talks for key roles, as the film moves closer to production at Sony. Written and directed by Sorkin, the new film draws from The Facebook Files, a series of investigative articles by Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz. It will explore the aftermath of Facebook's rise — particularly its internal knowledge of how the platform contributed to misinformation, youth mental health issues, and the events of January 6, 2021. Strong joins Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White as part of the shortlist of actors being considered. Madison is reportedly in line to play whistleblower Frances Haugen, while White may portray the journalist who broke the Facebook Files story. No deals have been finalised, but the project is considered a top priority for the studio. The most intriguing casting speculation surrounds Strong's potential role. Sources suggest he could play either a senior Wall Street Journal editor or more notably, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. That possibility has gained momentum following reports that Jesse Eisenberg, who portrayed Zuckerberg in the original film, has passed on returning to the role. Eisenberg, who earned an Oscar nomination for his 2010 performance, has not publicly commented. Some industry insiders suggest his decision could be a negotiating strategy, while others cite age as a factor — with Eisenberg now 41, he would be playing a Zuckerberg in his mid-30s. Sorkin's sequel promises a more critical take on the social media giant's influence, contrasting the original film's focus on ambition and betrayal during Facebook's early years. The project is still in development, with casting and budgeting ongoing.
Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Why Jesse Eisenberg rejected 'Social Network 2' role? Who will play Mark Zuckerberg now
'The Social Network Part 2' will see a major casting upset with Jesse Eisenberg not reprising the role of Facebook co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg. Jesse Eisenberg played Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, the 2010 biopic of the Facebook co-founder.(X/@TheCinesthetic) The movie is a sequel to David Fincher's Oscar-winning 2010 biopic about Mark Zuckerberg and how Facebook came to be. Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the first scrip, returns to lend his talent to the sequel as well. Why Jesse Eisenberg won't return as Mark Zuckerberg? Eisenberg, known for movies like Now You See Me, has passed on the chance to play Zuckerberg, The Hollywood Reporter said, but suggested that this may be a 'negotiation tactic'. Eisenberg, meanwhile, is 41, and would have to play a character at least a decade younger than him. The film, announced to be in active development in June, is set to take place years after the ending of The Social Network and follow the exposure of Facebook's inner workings and the harm the company has caused. This would mean the movie is likely set in 2021, when Horowitz's The Facebook Files articles, came out. The movie could also take a look at the years leading up to it. Zuckerberg, in real life, was in his mid thirties at the time. Anora's Mikey Madison and The Bear's Jeremy Allen White are reportedly in talks to play Frances Haugen, the whistleblower, and Wall Street Journal tech reporter Jeff Horowitz, respectively. Who could play Mark Zuckerberg? As per Deadline, Jeremy Strong of Succession fame could be tapped to play Zuckerberg. However, this casting doesn't make much sense, because Strong is 46 – older than Eisenberg, who passed up on the chance to step into the shoes of Zuckerberg. Having said that, Strong's experience from works like The Apprentice, set him up nicely to portray the Meta chairman.
Express Tribune
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Jeremy Strong in talks to play Zuckerberg in The Social Network Part II
Jeremy Strong is emerging as the front-runner to play Facebook founder and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network Part II, Deadline has learned. While no official offer has been made, sources confirm that Strong is currently the top choice for the role in the upcoming Sony project. This potential casting follows Deadline's earlier report that The Bear star Jeremy Allen White and actress Mikey Madison are also in talks for key roles, with White likely portraying Wall Street Journal journalist Jeff Horowitz and Madison as the whistleblower behind the explosive Facebook Files series. The film, written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, is being developed as a spiritual successor—not a direct sequel—to 2010's The Social Network, which earned Sorkin an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Jesse Eisenberg previously portrayed Zuckerberg in the original film and received an Oscar nomination for his performance. This new installment will center around the WSJ's 2021 investigative series The Facebook Files, which revealed disturbing internal practices and ethical concerns within the tech giant. Sorkin reportedly spent years exploring possible angles before settling on this narrative, which focuses on the darker consequences of Facebook's global reach. Produced by Todd Black, Peter Rice, Stuart Besser, and Sorkin himself, The Social Network Part II aims to offer a sobering look into the social, political, and psychological fallout of Meta's influence. Strong is represented by WME and Range Media Partners.
UPI
31-07-2025
- Business
- UPI
Reports: Jeremy Strong to play Zuckerberg in 'Social Network Part II'
1 of 5 | Jeremy Strong is reportedly the top pick to play Mark Zuckerberg in a follow-up to "Social Network." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo July 31 (UPI) -- Succession actor Jeremy Strong is reportedly in talks to portray Facebook co-founder and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in a sequel to the 2010 film The Social Network. The Hollywood Reporter said Thursday that Social Network writer Aaron Sorkin will return to write and helm the new movie, which is inspired by "The Facebook Files," a 2021 series of Wall Street Journal articles penned by Jeff Horwitz. Jesse Eisenberg portrayed Zuckerberg, now 41, in the first film, directed by David Fincher. Eisenberg's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination. The first movie chronicled the founding of Facebook, which officially launched in 2004 ahead of Zuckerberg's 30th birthday. Deadline confirmed Strong, 46, is the top choice to play Zuckerberg in the sequel. The actor would join rumored cast members Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) and Mikey Madison (Anora), with White possibly portraying Horwitz and Madison as a whistleblower. No formal offers have been made to cast members, according to Variety. Strong is also known for his role as Roy Cohn in The Apprentice. The Roy family: 'Succession' stars through the years Left to right, Jeremy Strong, creator Jesse Armstrong, Nicholas Braun, Sarah Snook, Brian Cox and Alan Ruck of "Succession" appear backstage during the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on January 5, 2020. The award-winning cast has appeared in several other shows and films through the years. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
