Jeremy Strong Replaces Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg — Bold Move or Big Mistake?

When news of a Social Network sequel broke, I immediately wondered if Jesse Eisenberg would return. He’s spoken openly about his mixed feelings toward the role — and now we have an answer, though not the one many hoped for.

Now we know who’s stepping in. According to Deadline, Jeremy Strong — of Succession fame — will play Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network Part II, written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. It’s a bold, possibly divisive choice.

Strong is an undeniably strong actor (pun almost unavoidable). At first, the vibe feels off from Eisenberg’s, but the more I think about it, the more he seems like the right choice. Maybe that’s the point — maybe Zuckerberg has changed, or the film wants us to see him in a new light.

The sequel will centre on Facebook’s more recent turbulence, with characters like whistleblower Frances Haugen (reportedly played by Mikey Madison) and WSJ journalist Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) leading the narrative. A very different world from Harvard dorm rooms.

Fans, predictably, are split.

"No Fincher, no Eisenberg. It's a pass from me," sharply summed it up TheFilmManiac on Reddit.

"Strong is a really good actor but the film won't be the same without Eisenberg," said Different_Gap8172 more cautiosly.

"I don't think Eisenberg was really the right vibe for Zuckerberg either… Jeremy Strong as insecure billionaire douche will probably align a lot better to reality," noted NobodyLikesThrillho, offering a different take.

Sorkin directing without Fincher will already change the tone. Add a new face for Zuckerberg, and it’s clear this sequel isn’t trying to recreate the original. Whether that works — well, we’ll have to wait and see.