Aaron Sorkin is back with a sequel to The Social Network, and development is moving fast. But production may have hit a bump after reports surfaced that Jesse Eisenberg won’t return, disappointing for fans. That said, word is Sorkin already has someone in mind who might just do justice to a thirty-something Mark Zuckerberg’s role in the movie. As per the reports, Jeremy Strong has joined the shortlist of names being considered, and insiders say he’s a serious contender.
Also read: Aaron Sorkin will return for The Social Network sequel but only on one condition
Who will play Mark Zuckerberg in Social Network 2?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jeremy Strong, best known for playing Kendall Roy in Succession, is reportedly in talks to play Mark Zuckerberg. If the deal goes through, Mikey Madison could take on the role of Frances Haugen, the whistleblower who leaked damning internal data about Facebook. Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) is also on the list, possibly set to play Jeff Horwitz, the Wall Street Journal reporter behind the explosive Facebook Files. Strong’s casting isn’t locked. Insiders say he’s also being considered for a different role, possibly a WSJ editor, but nothing’s final yet.
Strong is known as one of the best method actors of this generation, having played roles across genres on both the stage and on screen. He has received multiple accolades and acclaim for the same, including nods and wins for a Tony Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, BAFTA, etc. He’s also the kind of actor who digs deep into his roles, it’s hard to separate him from the character. His Succession co-stars have said he basically lived as Kendall even off-camera. And that’s exactly the kind of intensity Sorkin is reportedly after for Zuckerberg, because this time, the story isn’t just about dorm rooms and code. It’s corporate, political, and global.
This time around, Sorkin is writing and directing, with Sony backing the project. The film picks up from where the first Social Network left off, but instead of showing the global rise of Facebook, it shifts focus to the darker chapter. Based on the 2021 expose, The Facebook Files, the sequel will show how the company allegedly ignored its own research about harming teens, allowed misinformation to spread, and was accused of contributing to the riots. Sorkin was reportedly inspired to take the challenge after the January 6 riot, believing Facebook played a major role behind the scenes.
Reports say Jesse Eisenberg has turned down the role. Some say it’s an age thing (he’s 41, playing a mid-30s Zuck), others think it might just be part of deal negotiation. Nothing official yet. No release date, no greenlight on the cast, but the project is currently Sony’s top priority. Producers Todd Black, Stuart Besser, and Peter Rice are reportedly shopping the package to the studio for a final go-ahead.
