‘The Social Reckoning’ Trailer Has Jeremy Strong Taking Over as Mark Zuckerberg in Aaron Sorkin’s ‘Social Network’ Follow-Up

Jesse Eisenberg’s decision not to return as Mark Zuckerberg for Aaron Sorkin’s “The Social Reckoning” was always going to be a major obstacle for this film to overcome. Eisenberg made the role iconic 15 years ago, and the very thought of someone else playing Zuckerberg initially feels a bit off.

A first trailer for Sorkin’s “The Social Reckoning” has been released. In it, Mikey Madison appears as a real-life Facebook whistleblower. She tells Zuckerberg that she is there to support him and Facebook rather than damage it. Strong’s Zuckerberg is then introduced, describing himself as a “professional defendant” and a “free speech absolutist.” In a more forceful moment, he asserts his authority, making it clear that when he says no, the discussion is effectively over.

Strong’s transformation — especially the bleached ginger hair — will have people debating just how well suited he is for the role. Is it a stroke of genius, or is Eisenberg‘s absence being felt here?

“The Social Reckoning” centers on the fallout covered in The Facebook Files, a series of reports published by The Wall Street Journal in 2021. The articles exposed internal company documents revealing Facebook’s own awareness of the harm its platform was causing — particularly to teens, developing countries, and the broader global information ecosystem.

“It’s time to say more,” Sorkin told the CinemaCon crowd in April about why he decided to make a ‘Social Network’ sequel. He teased, “It’s a real David and Goliath story.”

Sorkin, who won the Oscar for his “The Social Network” screenplay, will direct this one himself — a shift from David Fincher’s meticulously obsessive visual and framing style. Since then, Sorkin has transitioned to directing three films —“Molly’s Game,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” “Being the Ricardos” — and ‘Social Reckoning’ seems to share the same slick visual style.

Sony Pictures is set to release “The Social Reckoning” in theaters on Oct. 9. The cast includes Jeremy Strong, Mikey Madison, Bill Burr, Jeremy Allen White, Wunmi Mosaku, and Betty Gilpin.