The Social Reckoning Sees Jeremy Strong Transform Into Mark Zuckerberg

Jeremy Strong looks completely different in the first trailer for The Social Reckoning, the sequel to The Social Network. The film centers on Frances Haugen (played by Mikey Madison) and her role as a whistleblower. Fans are getting a first glimpse of Strong as Mark Zuckerberg, sporting blonde hair and impressively mimicking Zuckerberg’s voice.

Picking up 17 years later, Zuckerberg is no longer a budding entrepreneur but instead a power player within the technology space. As Strong warns in the June 10 trailer, “I’m not two years out of a dorm room anymore.”

In this new installment, the tech company’s founder—originally portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg—faces his greatest challenge yet. A Wall Street Journal article, penned by reporter Jeff Horwitz (played by Jeremy Allen White), reveals potentially damaging practices within the company. This exposé, aided by Frances Haugen and the documents she leaked, ultimately leads to a congressional hearing.

Horwitz, White’s character, cautions his coworkers that this company and the individual in question are having an unusually large impact on their lives.

And yet, he and Haugen face an uphill battle with a powerful and heavily resourced foe.

Okay, so in the trailer, there’s this scene that completely blew my mind. This reporter, she’s talking to a coworker, and she’s like, ‘I know there are simpler people to go after, right?’ And her colleague just casually drops, ‘Yeah, seriously, even the mafia would be an easier fight!’ It just shows how unbelievably powerful and dangerous this person they’re investigating must be – way beyond anything anyone expects! I’m already obsessed and need to know everything!

Aaron Sorkin—the writer and director—returns with his latest film, The Social Reckoning, which opens in theaters on October 9th.

Jesse Eisenberg chose not to reprise his role as Mark Zuckerberg because he felt that part of his career was over and he was ready to move on.

During an October appearance on Today, he explained he left the project for reasons unrelated to the film’s quality, stating he believed it would be fantastic.

He doesn’t need to look far for evidence of this attitude, as Billy Magnussen’s character, a supporter of Zuckerberg, confidently states, “We don’t worry about Congress. We operate outside of traditional government control.”

True to his nature as a journalist, instead of objecting, White’s character politely asks Magnussen if he can include that exact phrase – “please, please” – in his article.

Mark Zuckerberg may appear calm as he gets ready to face Congress – he’s even joked about being a ‘professional defendant’ – but the seriousness of the situation is clearly starting to weigh on him.

“Enough!” he eventually erupts during preparation. “People around here understand that when I say no, that’s the end of the debate.”

The Social Reckoning—once again written by Aaron Sorkin who is also behind the camera this time—premieres in theaters Oct. 9.

As for whyEisenberg didn’t return to once again pick up the mantle of Zuckerberg, the Now You See Me Star felt as though that chapter of his life was closed.

I remember when he was on Today back in October, and he explained his decision to leave the project. He was really careful to say it wasn’t about the quality of the film at all – he insisted it had absolutely nothing to do with how great he thought it would turn out to be.

He described how, while playing a role, an actor eventually feels transformed. He also praised the film, emphasizing that his absence from it has no bearing on its quality and success.

For more must-see movies coming out this year, read on.

Bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu take their galactic adventures to the big screen. Also starring Sigourney Weaver.