Eisenberg Distances Himself from Zuckerberg, Citing Facebook's Controversial Changes

In 2025, the prospect of a sequel to the 2010 film The Social Network has resurfaced, but one of the original film's stars, Jesse Eisenberg, has made it clear he has no interest in being associated with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Eisenberg, who received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Zuckerberg in the original film, spoke out against the tech executive in a recent interview, stating that he does not want to be linked to "somebody like that." The actor cited Zuckerberg's controversial decisions, such as removing fact-checking and safety concerns, as reasons for his distancing.

Since the release of The Social Network, Facebook, now known as Meta Platforms, Inc., has undergone significant changes that have drawn widespread criticism. The company has faced backlash over its content moderation protocols and community standards, which have been accused of exacerbating threats to already vulnerable groups. Additionally, Zuckerberg has become the world's third wealthiest person and attended former President Donald Trump's inauguration, further fueling Eisenberg's reluctance to be associated with him.

Despite the actor's reservations, the prospect of a sequel to The Social Network remains a possibility. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin has expressed interest in collaborating with director David Fincher to tell the story of Facebook's tumultuous journey in recent years, which has been extensively covered by the Wall Street Journal's reporting on the platform's inner workings.