Depending on your cinematic tastes, you might recognize Jesse Eisenberg from his portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Network” or his role as Lex Luthor in Zack Snyder’s DC films. Some cinephiles may remember him more fondly from his “Zombieland” days, but he’s not a regular fixture in theaters these days.
It’s been a few years since Eisenberg graced the big screen, with his most recent appearances being in Snyder’s Justice League and the lesser-known film “Wild Indian.” His recent filmography is varied, including some well-known titles like “Justice League” and “Zombieland,” but also featuring many indie films that didn’t draw large audiences.
Despite potentially having more opportunities in major motion pictures, Eisenberg seems content with his current trajectory. In an interview with Esquire, he admitted to not watching his own films, focusing instead on the experience of portraying characters rather than the final outcome.
When questioned about his tendency to take on projects led by lesser-known filmmakers, Eisenberg emphasized his desire to work on projects that excite him and inhabit characters whose lives intrigue him. He explained, “I’ve worked with people who have made a lot of movies too, and they’re not always amazing. I don’t watch the movies I’m in, so I really just focus on the experiences I’m going to have and what character I’m going to play and live with and feel like. So I guess I’m less concerned with the final product and more concerned with just doing what’s exciting at the moment.”
Moreover, Eisenberg’s extensive involvement in high-profile projects suggests that he can afford to be selective in his roles. He expressed interest in potential future projects, including portraying figures like FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who faces legal troubles following the collapse of his digital currency exchange. Eisenberg noted that such projects could be executed effectively with the right creative team but risk becoming overly melodramatic if mishandled.
He also shared a humorous anecdote about encountering cryptocurrency while on set, revealing that he considered investing in it until he found the platform too frustrating to navigate. In hindsight, given the platform’s subsequent collapse, Eisenberg’s decision to abstain from investing seems prudent.
