Jeremy Strong Contacted Mark Zuckerberg After Playing Him in ‘The Social Reckoning’ Despite Calling Him Reviled

Jeremy Strong took an unconventional approach in preparing for his role as Mark Zuckerberg in Aaron Sorkin’s upcoming film ‘The Social Reckoning’.

In a recent cover story for GQ, Strong shared his motivations for wanting the part and emphasized the importance of portraying Zuckerberg without preconceived judgments.

He steps into the shoes of Jesse Eisenberg, who previously portrayed Zuckerberg in the 2010 film ‘The Social Network’. Although Eisenberg was offered the opportunity to reprise his role, he declined, expressing a desire to distance himself from the Facebook co-founder.

For Strong, this role represented a significant acting challenge. He had previously informed Sorkin of his interest should Eisenberg choose not to return.

“It’s the kind of role that fascinates me,” Strong remarked to GQ. “It’s like Sebastian [Stan] playing Trump. You are wearing the cape. It’s like Jeremy [Allen White] playing Bruce [Springsteen].” He acknowledged the risks involved in portraying such a controversial figure as Zuckerberg.

“Listen, I know that he is a reviled person and not a popular person in our culture, but I do not think you should have an actor playing him who wants to set out to condemn him,” Strong stated.

After securing the role, Strong reached out to Zuckerberg directly. He sent an email expressing his commitment to accurately and respectfully portray the character. Zuckerberg responded, but Strong chose not to disclose the content of the reply.

“I wrote to him — I’m probably going to give Sony an aneurysm — I sent him an email,” Strong told GQ. “Just to say that I take this responsibility very seriously, and the veracity of it seriously, and I’m approaching it with respect.”

Strong engaged in extensive research for the role. He watched interviews, podcasts, technology conferences, and footage of Zuckerberg’s congressional testimony. He even created a Facebook account, despite his usual aversion to social media, to analyze Zuckerberg’s posts and observe the evolution of his public image.

Throughout production, Strong maintained his character, a practice he is known for. This dedication extended to his current project, ‘The Boys from Brazil’, where he spent seven months speaking with a Polish accent, even using it in conversations off-set.

Aaron Sorkin recounted a particularly unusual phone call with Strong. “He called me six or eight weeks ago, and without any introduction, he was just speaking as an Eastern European Nazi hunter, talking to me about the movie we had just made,” Sorkin shared with GQ.

Strong’s portrayal in ‘The Social Reckoning’ has already ignited discussions. Following the release of the film’s first trailer in June, some viewers speculated about an Oscar nomination, while others humorously suggested he might receive a Razzie.

Strong welcomed the mixed reactions. “I thought that was the greatest endorsement,” he commented. “I’ll be sad if I win a Razzie, but that’s the place you want to be. That’s the wager you have to make.”

‘The Social Reckoning’ is set to hit theaters on October 9.

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