Jesse Eisenberg Admits He Doesn't Use Facebook

By Jett Wells Posted Sep 24th 2010 11:37AM

Actor Jesse Eisenberg and director David Fincher of 'The Social Network' created a movie about Facebook and its founder Mark Zuckerberg that lays out the controversial story behind its inception, and yet ... neither of them actually uses Facebook.

Eisenberg and Fincher sat down for a Q&A at the Apple retail store in the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan on Sept. 23 to answer questions about the movie, and Eisenberg talked about what it was like acting like a tough guy and why he didn't mind taking on such a controversial role.

Near the beginning of the discussion, Fincher asked the crowd how many people use Facebook and, not surprisingly, almost everyone raised their hands. Eisenberg, however, admitted he doesn't use it, and conceded that asking whether someone uses Facebook these days is like asking if they use the telephone.

It hasn't been a great year for the man Eisenberg plays, Mark Zuckerberg, as several publications, including The New Yorker, have published articles lampooning his reportedly robotic, nihilistic personality, not to mention the critical view of him the film takes. But after Eisenberg spent months trying to become the young Internet mogul, he can't help but defend him.

"I never met Mark, although, I developed a great affection for him because I spent six months thinking about him and defending his position," Eisenberg said. "It's pretty much impossible to play a role and not defend his behavior."

As for playing a cold and tough guy, it's a new experience for Eisenberg, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been in a fight before. Eisenberg detailed a hilarious fight scene on a subway that started with a discussion over dietary habits.

"I got in a fight with somebody on the subway once because I asked if they were a vegetarian, and he said that was too personal, and I got angry," Eisenberg explained. "I said, 'That's not personal.' He said it is. I said I just became a vegetarian and I was wondering if he had any tips. And he said, 'That's not appropriate to ask somebody.' I said you work in an animal shelter, I felt it would be. And then it took off."

After questions opened up to the audience, one person asked if Fincher and Eisenberg felt they were trying to hurt Zuckerberg's image, and Eisenberg delivered the most logical and clinical response possible.

"I thought of it as an actor and acting in a scene. The fact that it was about a real person, we've already thought about and dealt with," Eisenberg retorted. "I genuinely felt and still do that everything I do as my character is explainable. That's what I was hired to do."

Surprisingly, Eiseneberg still hasn't seen the movie, but that will change Friday once he attends the premiere in New York City. The movie debuts in theaters on Oct. 1. Watch a Clip:

Tags: David Fincher, jesse eisenberg, the social network

Comments

(22)

Monday 27 September

By Teresa

Vote down Vote up Report this

I think Facebook is great for keeping in touch with your family when you are over 6 hours away from them, like myself! I only use facebook to keep in touch with my family.

Friday 26 November

By barnett Blake

JESSE EISENBERG, film producer JOYCELYN ENGLE, WHOOPI GOLDBERG and HARVEY KRUEGER were honored on November 22, 2010 at Children at Heart Celebrity Auction and Gala Dinner to benefit the Children of Chernobyl. STEVEN SPIELBERG is Chairman. Harvey Krueger was Chairman of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and Joycelyn Engle and her husband Count Joseph Di Palma have The Di Palma Center for the Study of Jewelry and Precious Metals at the museum. JOYCELYN ENGLE invited Jesse's mom and sister seven years ago to be her guests at Children at heart and this November Jesse and Joycelyn were honored. It is a small world.

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