Has David Fincher found his cast for the Facebook drama “The Social Network”?
According to Carson Reeves from ScriptShadow, word has it that Jesse Eisenberg will star as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg; Justin Timberlake will play internet entrepreneur Sean Parker; while Andrew Garfield is set to portray Eduardo Saverin, Facebook’s co-creator who is purported to have been betrayed by Zuckerberg.
Eisenberg is a superior choice to Michael Cera and Shia Labeouf, who were previously rumored to be targets eyed by the film’s producers. We’re surprised he didn’t come to our minds in the first place. What has us most excited is the casting of Brit actor Garfield, an up-and-comer who showcased his talents in “Boy A.” Garfield is just starting to spread his wings and will next be seen in “The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus” and Mark Romanek’s upcoming “Never Let Me Go.” We have no doubts he’d play the betrayed and presumably audience-sympathizing Saverin with distinction.
Timberlake though, we’re not 100% on. Yeah, he wasn’t bad in the few film appearances he’s made and we can see how he would fit the archetype of the hotshot entrepreneur that Parker is reportedly portrayed as, but surely, there’s better talent out there? We guess Fincher won’t accept anything less than a great performance though, so there’s probably nothing to fear.
Shooting on the project is set to begin this October on location in and around Boston and Cambridge, near the actual birthplace of Facebook on the grounds of Harvard University.
Update: Carson writes us. “Although I trust my source, there was no way for me to confirm this. So I’d still consider it a highly likely rumor.”
Update 2: We’ve got something even better. A good inside source who’s been poking us on this Facebook project lately says that yes, all those actors are under consideration and were all present for a table read with Fincher and casting person Laray Mayfield (who has cast many of Fincher’s films including ‘Benjamin Button,’ “Zodiac” and “Fight Club”), however none are set in stone, and one — who we won’t mention by name — wasn’t exactly loved by the notoriously picky director.
Note to Fincher: No Timberlake, please!
Damn Twitter. Hello Playlist friends. Although I trust my source, there was no way for me to confirm this. So I'd still consider it a highly likely rumor. 🙂
I know the word "betrayal" is probably the main impetus in someone thinking that the Facebook story somehow needs to be brought to life on the big screen, but the thing I'm not 100% sold on is not Timberlake's involvement but the necessity of a movie about this in the first place.
Here's to hoping Fincher's involvement makes this actually worth seeing.
I'm guessing Timberlake's acting fee is still below Cera or Shia's, but he still does have some marketing cachet to make it work given the budget Fincher has. It will be interesting to see how it works out, but Fincher is notoriously NOT an actor's director and I think it's safe to say that throwing Timberlake out there without a safety net is a risk.
I would really like to see Fincher have to direct Timberlake.
If Fincher was too much for Jake Gyllenhaal, we can all expect some interesting stories from his working with Timberlake.
Booo, I wanted Anton Yelchin. Eisenberg doesn't look 19.
Andrew Garfield, *drool*
Garfield was solid opposite Redford in "Lions for Lambs". "Never Let Me Go" could be one of 2010's best. The novel was great.
kill me kill kill me kill me kill kill me kill me kill kill me kill me kill kill me kill me kill kill me
this isnt fincher. its a clone.the real fincher is gagged and tied up in Scott Rudins basement.
BTW, a lot of people are asking to name names. Which is lame. Its bad enough we have to report things that are not even set in stone, but that's unfortunately part of the game these days, but I'm not a big fan of it.
Sure, if you can break a confirmed announcement early, go for it. But when people are in talks, let that shit lie until its done.
And Carson, yes, I did confirm this (unfortunately).
Justin Timberlake was really good in Alpha Dog, despite the subpar direction by Nick C.
So, I would be interested in seeing JT stretch his acting skills under a great director.
He may suprise us all.
Totally unexpected but interesting casting of JT in this movie actually has me a bit excited about this film.
Any word on who's up for that guy who sued Facebook? Yeah.. his name's Divya Narendra.. any word? I wish Kal Penn be there to snatch the role but the damn guy ran off to the white house.. Not Anil Kapoor for sure! Dev Patel, maybe? Maulik Pancholy.. a little too old for a college sophomore I guess. Vivek Shah.. maybe. What about Vic Sahey? He looks very much alike Divya Narendra.
Just some possibilities. Keep us updated on what the word it. Can't wait!!
It seems they've cast Max Minghella for the part, it hasn't been confirmed but if it's true then they should be ashamed at casting him to play an Indian character! He doesn't even look Indian!
Very true, Max does not look Indian. He is a talented actor but shouldn't be playing this part. Another clear example of the prejudice in Hollywood against Indian/Pakistani actors.
Nice post, justin is a great actor he needs an oscar.