Controversial from the get-go! In the years before Facebook became little more than a lightning rod for criticism, the social media platform and its cofounder Mark Zuckerbergwere the subject of the 2010 filmThe Social Network.
Jesse Eisenberg starred as Zuckerberg in the movie, which was based onThe Accidental Billionaires, a 2009 book by Ben Mezrich. The project followed Zuckerberg as he created Facebook and weathered lawsuits surrounding the venture.
The Social Networkwon Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Film Editing at the 2011 Academy Awards. The film’s eight Oscar nominations included Best Picture and Best Actor for Eisenberg. The 2011 Golden Globe Awards doled out trophies for Best Motion Picture — Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Original Score too.
Despite critical acclaim, the movie received backlash from the businessman who inspired it. “I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about that movie in a while,” Zuckerberg noted during a November 2014 live Facebook Q&A. “I kinda blocked that one out. It was a very interesting experience to watch a movie that was supposedly about my life … supposedly.”
The CEO then claimed that some aspects of the film were fabricated. “I think the reality is that writing code and building a product and then building a company actually is not a glamorous enough thing to make a movie about,” he said. “So you can imagine that a lot of the stuff they probably had to embellish and make up. If they were really making a movie, it would have been of me, sitting at a computer coding for two hours straight, which probably would have just not been that good of a movie and these guys, I think, want to win awards and sell tickets.”
Zuckerberg added that he was not impressed with the plot because “they just kind of made up a bunch of stuff that I found kind of hurtful” rather than focusing on his mission of connecting the world through Facebook.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Deal of the Day
The entrepreneur then revealed that he only met Eisenberg once while onSaturday Night Live, recalling: “I think he was a little afraid to meet me after his portrayal, but I tried to be nice.”
Although Eisenberg earned rave reviews from most, he confessed years later that he felt detached from the role. “The Social Network was just a bigger movie with more specific expectations,” he told The Guardian in June 2016. “And so, as an actor, you’re more conscious of those expectations, and it necessarily feels less personal. Even if it’s of a high quality, which of course that was, you just feel like it’s impossible to have that real connection.”
Scroll down to see where the cast ofThe Social Networkended up after the film.
Credit: Shutterstock (4)
‘The Social Network’ Cast: Where Are They Now?
Controversial from the get-go! In the years before Facebook became little more than a lightning rod for criticism, the social media platform and its cofounder Mark Zuckerbergwere the subject of the 2010 filmThe Social Network.Jesse Eisenberg starred as Zuckerberg in the movie, which was based onThe Accidental Billionaires, a 2009 book by Ben Mezrich. The project followed Zuckerberg as he created Facebook and weathered lawsuits surrounding the venture.The Social Networkwon Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Film Editing at the 2011 Academy Awards. The film’s eight Oscar nominations included Best Picture and Best Actor for Eisenberg. The 2011 Golden Globe Awards doled out trophies for Best Motion Picture — Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Original Score too.Despite critical acclaim, the movie received backlash from the businessman who inspired it. “I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about that movie in a while,” Zuckerberg noted during a November 2014 live Facebook Q&A. “I kinda blocked that one out. It was a very interesting experience to watch a movie that was supposedly about my life … supposedly.”[sendtonews type="float" key="vT7hiJT3J6-3106340-14453"]The CEO then claimed that some aspects of the film were fabricated. “I think the reality is that writing code and building a product and then building a company actually is not a glamorous enough thing to make a movie about,” he said. “So you can imagine that a lot of the stuff they probably had to embellish and make up. If they were really making a movie, it would have been of me, sitting at a computer coding for two hours straight, which probably would have just not been that good of a movie and these guys, I think, want to win awards and sell tickets.”Zuckerberg added that he was not impressed with the plot because “they just kind of made up a bunch of stuff that I found kind of hurtful” rather than focusing on his mission of connecting the world through Facebook.The entrepreneur then revealed that he only met Eisenberg once while onSaturday Night Live, recalling: “I think he was a little afraid to meet me after his portrayal, but I tried to be nice.”Although Eisenberg earned rave reviews from most, he confessed years later that he felt detached from the role. “The Social Network was just a bigger movie with more specific expectations,” he told The Guardian in June 2016. “And so, as an actor, you’re more conscious of those expectations, and it necessarily feels less personal. Even if it’s of a high quality, which of course that was, you just feel like it’s impossible to have that real connection.”Scroll down to see where the cast ofThe Social Networkended up after the film.[podcast_block]
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Jesse Eisenberg (Mark Zuckerberg)
The Oscar nominee has since starred in Now You See Me, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Café Society, Rio and Zombieland: Double Tap. He made his foray into playwriting in 2011 and has acted in the stage productions he wrote. Eisenberg released a book of short stories, Bream Gives Me the Hiccups, in 2015.
The actor married Anna Strout in 2017. The couple welcomed son Banner in December 2016.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Andrew Garfield (Eduardo Saverin)
The Brit took on the role of a superhero in the Amazing Spider-Man franchise before turning to dramatic work, including Hacksaw Ridge and Angels in America. He earned Oscar and Golden Globe nods for Hacksaw Ridge in 2017 and won a Tony Award in 2018 for Angels in America.
Garfield dated his Amazing Spider-Man costar Emma Stone from 2011 to 2015. He was later linked to Rita Ora, comedian Aisling Bea, model Christine Gabel and actress Susie Abromeit.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Justin Timberlake (Sean Parker)
Timberlake continued to juggle music and acting. He starred in Friends With Benefits, Trolls, Bad Teacher and In Time as well as released albums The 20/20 Experience and Man of the Woods.
The singer married Jessica Biel in October 2012. Their son, Silas, arrived in April 2015, and they secretly welcomed a second child, son Phineas, in 2020.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Armie Hammer (Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss)
Hammer’s career skyrocketed with roles in Call Me by Your Name, J. Edgar, Mirror Mirror, The Lone Ranger, Nocturnal Animals and On the Basis of Sex. He also appeared on Broadway in the 2018 production of Straight White Men.
The actor married Elizabeth Chambers in May 2010. She gave birth to their daughter, Harper, in December 2014 and their son, Ford, in January 2017. The pair announced their separation in July 2020.
Hammer was accused of abuse and rape by multiple women in 2021. He denied the allegations but reportedly sought treatment for drug, alcohol and sex issues amid the scandal.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Max Minghella (Divya Narendra)
Minghella went on to appear on The Handmaid’s Tale, The Mindy Project, The Ides of March and The Internship. He directed, wrote and produced the 2018 film Teen Spirit, starring Elle Fanning.
The actor dated Kata Mara — his Social Network costar Rooney Mara's sister — from 2010 to 2014. He has been linked to Fanning since 2018, though the twosome have never confirmed their rumored romance.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Brenda Song (Christy Lee)
The Disney Channel alum returned to her TV roots on Scandal, New Girl, Dads, Pure Genius, Dollface and Station 19.
Song has been dating Macaulay Culkin since 2017. The couple welcomed their first child, son Dakota, in April 2021. In January 2022, Us confirmed the pair were engaged. Us broke the news in March 2023 that they secretly welcomed their second son, Carson, the previous December.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Rashida Jones (Marylin Delpy)
Jones has focused primarily on comedy since The Social Network with roles on Parks and Recreation, Celeste & Jesse Forever, Angie Tribeca, Web Therapy, Black-ish, Tag and #BlackAF. She also works as a producer, writer and director on high-profile Hollywood projects, including Toy Story 4, Black Mirror and Claws. She won a Grammy in 2019 for her film Quincy, a documentary about her father, Quincy Jones.
The actress welcomed her first child with boyfriend Ezra Koenig in 2018.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Rooney Mara (Erica Albright)
Mara starred in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Her, Carol and Mary Magdalene. The activist, who was nominated for an Oscar in 2012, cofounded vegan clothing line Hiraeth Collective.
Us Weekly confirmed her engagement to Joaquin Phoenix in July 2019 after three years of dating. She delivered their son, River — named after the actor's late brother — in 2020.
In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies
For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews – Subscribe on YouTube!
