HOLLYWOOD – Actor Jesse Eisenberg, best known for portraying Mark Zuckerberg in the 2010 film The Social Network, has voiced concerns about the Facebook founder’s evolution, describing his shift from an idealistic innovator to someone “obsessed with power.”
Eisenberg’s Changing View on Zuckerberg
Eisenberg played Zuckerberg in the David Fincher-directed film, which heavily influenced public perception of Facebook. Initially, he approached the role with empathy, believing Zuckerberg’s sense of righteousness stemmed from his intelligence and unique vision.
“As an actor, your job is to empathize and justify the character,” Eisenberg told AFP while promoting his new film, A Real Pain.
However, over the years, Eisenberg’s perspective has changed. With Zuckerberg aligning himself with Donald Trump’s administration and rolling back fact-checking measures on Facebook, the actor now sees a different narrative.
“You wonder, ‘Oh, so this person didn’t evolve into a profile in courage.’ Instead, they became obsessed with greed and power,” he said. “It’s fascinating for me as an actor, having once studied this person closely.”
Eisenberg’s Return to the Oscars
Eisenberg gained worldwide recognition and an Oscar nomination for The Social Network. Now, he is set to return to the Academy Awards on March 2 with A Real Pain, a film he wrote, directed, and stars in alongside Succession actor Kieran Culkin.
The unconventional comedy follows two Jewish cousins on a Holocaust tour in Poland. The film has received critical acclaim and secured two Oscar nominations: Eisenberg for Best Original Screenplay and Culkin for Best Supporting Actor.
A Deeply Personal Story
Premiering at Sundance, A Real Pain has been widely released across American and European theaters. Critics have praised its sharp dialogue and exploration of humor, mental health struggles, and generational trauma, blending elements of Holocaust and road-trip films.
Eisenberg, whose Polish grandparents escaped Nazi persecution, based much of the film on personal experiences. He also drew from his struggles with OCD and anxiety.
“David’s life is very similar to mine. The pills he takes are the same ones I take. The prop department even borrowed mine,” he shared. “But I’ve also been Benji. I’ve experienced emotional lows like his.”
The film explores existential guilt, a theme Eisenberg has long contemplated.
“How can I feel self-pity when my grandparents barely escaped death? How do we not all wake up every morning and feel grateful to be alive?” he asked. Following the film’s completion, he applied for and obtained Polish citizenship.
Kieran Culkin’s Casting and On-Set Dynamic
Initially hesitant to cast Culkin, who is not Jewish, Eisenberg ultimately felt he was the best choice for the role.
“Once we moved past that consideration, he was the only one who could truly embody the character,” Eisenberg explained. Culkin’s distinctive energy and impeccable comedic timing added depth to the role, even as he frequently challenged Eisenberg’s directorial choices.
“I was directing, but Kieran was leading,” Eisenberg recalled. “I’d set up a shot, and he’d mock me, saying it was stupid.”
Looking Ahead: Film and Philanthropy
Eisenberg plans to continue working both in front of and behind the camera. A Real Pain follows his 2022 directorial debut, When You Finish Saving the World.
However, his most fulfilling experience came outside of Hollywood—volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I worked at a domestic violence shelter run by my mother-in-law, and I had never been happier,” he revealed.
— AFP
What do you say about this story? Visit Parhlo World For more.
