Sorkin Says Eisenberg Declined Zuckerberg Role in Sequel

Aaron Sorkin says he was surprised when Jesse Eisenberg declined to reprise Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Reckoning, despite spending several days trying to persuade the actor to return. Jeremy Strong was ultimately cast as Zuckerberg in the sequel to The Social Network. Sorkin said he had assumed Eisenberg would accept after receiving the script. The two had spoken at a party while Sorkin was nearing the end of the screenplay, and Sorkin told him he would send it in a couple of weeks. Eisenberg nodded, Sorkin recalled, but later turned down the part. Sorkin said he used a three-day weekend to make his case, preparing an outline of arguments for why Eisenberg should return. He pointed to the opportunity to reprise a role Eisenberg had already played and to scenes he believed would be appealing. Sorkin said Eisenberg came closer to changing his mind than Sorkin expected during their exchanges, but ultimately passed. Money did not change the decision, Sorkin said. He described the studio’s offer as a disincentive for Eisenberg, whom he said was concerned about raising his children with too much money.