As the actor’s friend Bradley Cooper told GQ: “I’ve talked to Mark Zuckerberg many times — I had a whole friendship with Mark Zuckerberg, and Mark Zuckerberg has no idea.” · In fact, Strong was in Method actor mode during his GQ interview and spoke only in a Polish accent amid the continued production of “The Boys from Brazil.” Strong is headlining the latest film adaptation of Ira Levin’s 1976 novel as a globe-trotting Nazi hunter. The Emmy winner spent seven months speaking in a Polish accent during filming, whether he was on set or just on the phone with friends like Cooper or collaborators like Aaron Sorkin.
So, it turns out that Jeremy Strong, the acclaimed method actor known for his intense performances, has taken his craft to a whole new level while filming ‘The Social Reckoning.’ In a recent interview with The New York Times, director Aaron Sorkin revealed that Strong treated his co-stars in a manner that he imagines Mark Zuckerberg would treat them. Yes, you heard that right. Apparently, to get into character, Strong decided to channel the social media mogul’s alleged charm (or lack thereof) during the shoot.
Now, if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a method actor’s antics, you know it can be a wild ride. Method acting is all about immersing oneself into the character, but I can’t help but wonder if Strong took it a tad too far. Did he start wearing hoodies and eating only cold pizza in the trailer? Did he hold mandatory “Let’s discuss privacy” meetings between takes?
According to Sorkin, Strong’s portrayal of Zuckerberg is less about the tech genius’s entrepreneurial spirit and more about the way he imagines the man interacts with those around him. It’s not exactly a glowing review of Zuckerberg’s interpersonal skills, is it? Strong’s approach has led to some interesting dynamics on set, and one can only imagine the tension that might have brewed among the cast.
Imagine being a co-star trying to deliver your lines while Strong is treating you like a mere data point in a social experiment. “Oh, you’re an actor? Interesting. But how does that affect my algorithms?” It certainly adds a layer of complexity to the typical Hollywood camaraderie. One might even think that Sorkin should’ve just cast a few actual tech entrepreneurs to play themselves for authenticity—after all, who needs acting when you have real-life tech drama?
But let’s cut Strong some slack. Method acting has its merits, and perhaps he’s simply trying to bring a level of realism to the role that’s as deep as Zuckerberg’s commitment to privacy policies. Still, one has to wonder if this approach is more beneficial for the film or for Strong’s own ego. As actors say, it’s all about the craft, but let’s not forget that sometimes, it’s just acting.
In the end, whether Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of Zuckerberg will translate into an Oscar-worthy performance or just a series of awkward interactions remains to be seen. What we do know is that Sorkin’s insights provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of method acting and how deeply an actor can dive into the psyche of their character. Just remember, if you ever find yourself on set with Strong, keep your social cues sharp and your emotional distance even sharper. After all, you never know when he might treat you like one of his imaginary algorithms.
Inspired by: “Aaron Sorkin Says Jeremy Strong Treated His Co-Stars ‘The Way He Imagines’ Mark Zuckerberg Treats P…” (r/Entertainment)