Jeremy Strong on Playing Mark Zuckerberg and Other Unpopular Characters
Summary
David Remnick interviews Jeremy Strong about his portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in the new film The Social Reckoning. Strong discusses his intense preparation process, including reaching out to Zuckerberg for insight, and his goal to embody the character with empathy rather than judgment. The conversation also touches on Strong’s reaction to a previous New Yorker profile that criticized his method, as well as his broader approach to playing complex, real-life figures.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: AT&T and iPhone 18 Pro
Intro: The Social Reckoning and Zuckerberg's legacy
Jeremy Strong's physicality and first impressions
Method: Investigative approach and visceral embodiment
Comparing to Jesse Eisenberg and avoiding influence
Challenges of playing a real person vs. fictional
Email exchange with Mark Zuckerberg and Sorkin's style
Zuckerberg as a besieged CEO and the pressure of 2021
Empathy vs. judgment: Understanding complex decisions
Clarifying stance on platform harms and Roy Cohn comparison
Influences: Daniel Day-Lewis, Meryl Streep, Dustin Hoffman
Sponsor: New York Community Trust and Please Advise
Rejoining: Intense preparation and adding scenes
Commitment to craft and reactions from castmates
The 2021 profile and feelings of betrayal
Dunkin' Donuts commercial and Ibsen's 'Enemy of the People'
Truth decay, civil discourse, and the film's themes
Chicago 7, tear gas request, and demythologizing methods
Creating Kendall Roy and the role of therapy
Hope for the film's impact and the afterlife of a role
Outro, credits, and The Journey podcast promo
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