Aaron Sorkin reveals Jeremy Strong’s intense Mark Zuckerberg transformation

Aaron Sorkin has revealed that Jeremy Strong remained deeply in character while filming The Social Reckoning, adopting behaviour that the director believed reflected his portrayal of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Speaking to The New York Times for its latest edition of The Interview, Sorkin said Strong, who is known for his commitment to method acting, did not use his usual voice or mannerisms while working on the film.

“He did not speak in his own voice on the set or walk the way Jeremy walks,” Sorkin said, describing the actor’s approach to playing Zuckerberg.

Sorkin also warned Strong’s co-stars that the actor would maintain distance between takes and would not interact with them in his usual manner.

“I told all the other actors in his scenes” that Strong would not be socialising with them between takes, Sorkin explained. He said Strong would instead treat his fellow performers “the way he imagines Mark treats the people around him.”

Jeremy Allen White, Mikey Madison, Bill Burr, Betty Gilpin and Billy Magnussen also star in The Social Reckoning. The film follows whistleblower Frances Haugen as she works with Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz to investigate Facebook and its operations under Zuckerberg.

Sorkin also addressed the film’s legal review, saying Sony hired an outside law firm to verify factual claims because the movie is based on real events. He said representatives for Meta had contacted the studio seeking tickets to the film.

The Social Reckoning, a follow-up to Sorkin’s 2010 film The Social Network, is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on October 9.