Jesse Eisenberg Calls THE SOCIAL RECKONING “Wonderful” and Explains Why He's Not Returning
The highly anticipated sequel to The Social Network is moving forward without Jesse Eisenberg, who famously portrayed Mark Zuckerberg in the 2010 Oscar-winning film. The follow-up, titled The Social Reckoning, is deep in development under Aaron Sorkin, who is not just writing but also directing.
According to Eisenberg, the project is shaping up to be something truly special even if he won’t be a part of it. While promoting Now You See Me 3, the actor stopped by Today and was asked about his decision not to return as Zuckerberg in The Social Reckoning. His response was thoughtful and surprisingly supportive.
"Listen, for reasons that have nothing to do with how amazing that movie will be, really, truthfully," he explained. "When you play a character, you feel, at some point, you've grown into something else."
Eisenberg went on to praise Sorkin’s new vision for the project, calling it a “wonderful movie” and clarifying that his absence has absolutely nothing to do with the film’s potential quality.
"All of the reasons that I am not in it are completely unrelated to how brilliant it will be," he added.
So while Eisenberg won’t be reprising his Oscar-nominated role, the film is in intriguing hands. Jeremy Strong, best known for his powerhouse performance on Succession, will now step in as Zuckerberg.
He’ll be joined by Mikey Madison as Frances Haugen, the former Facebook employee turned whistleblower, and Jeremy Allen White, who’s playing Jeff Horwitz, the journalist who broke Haugen’s story.
Set years after the original, The Social Reckoning dives into Facebook’s evolution from social media innovator to a global communications titan under the microscope of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
With Sorkin taking over directing duties from David Fincher, who helmed The Social Network, this sequel promises a sharp, timely exploration of power, accountability, and the digital age’s moral fallout.
The Social Reckoning opens on October 9, 2026. Would you have liked to see Eisenberg return as Zuckerberg?