Actor Jeremy Strong is taking on the role of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in Aaron Sorkin’s upcoming film “The Social Reckoning,” marking the first time he has publicly discussed the casting. The role was previously held by Jesse Eisenberg, who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal in “The Social Network” but declined to reprise the character, stating he no longer wanted to be associated with the tech executive.
Strong revealed in a recent GQ magazine interview that he reached out to Zuckerberg directly after accepting the part, sending him an email to convey his commitment to approaching the role with respect and accuracy. While Zuckerberg responded, Strong kept the contents of the exchange confidential. The actor emphasized that despite Zuckerberg’s controversial public image, he was committed to portraying the character without predetermined judgment.
In typical fashion for his craft, Strong employed full method acting techniques during production, maintaining a consistent portrayal even off-camera. His dedication extended beyond the Zuckerberg project, as he simultaneously spent seven months speaking exclusively in a Polish accent while filming “The Boys from Brazil,” where he plays a Nazi hunter. This commitment was so complete that even conversations with close associates like Bradley Cooper were conducted entirely in character.
