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Jesse Eisenberg Explains Why He Doesn’t Appear In Movies Anymore

Jesse Eisenberg has shared why we rarely see him in movies anymore.
Credit: Alamy

Jesse Eisenberg has shared why we rarely see him on the big screen anymore. 

Eisenberg, 40, is an American actor and filmmaker who has become a much-loved star in Hollywood.

He’s starred in over 40 movies, including blockbusters Zombieland, The Social Network, and Now You See Me.

But in recent years, fans have noticed that Eisenberg hasn’t appeared as active in the film industry – and there’s a reason.

Zombieland (2009).
Jesse Eisenberg’s breakout role was in the 2009 comedy film Zombieland. Credit: Columbia Pictures

Eisenberg’s breakout role was in Zombieland (2009), where he starred alongside Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin.

Just one year later, the actor would star in the award-winning film The Social Network, for which he was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor at the Golden Globes and Academy Awards.

The Social Network (2010).
Jesse Eisenberg was praised for his portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network. Credit: Sony Pictures

Controversially, he also played the role of Lex Luthor in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016).

Viewers took to social media at the time of its release and criticized his portrayal, with one person writing: “Easily the worst version of the character I have ever seen. I have no idea what in the world they were thinking!”

Another added: “Honestly, I never enjoyed Jesse Eisenberg’s casting as Lex Luthor or his performance.”

Eisenberg opened up about his version of Luthor, telling Playboy (per Collider): “The character is in line with what audiences want to see now, which is a more modern, psychologically realistic concept of Lex Luthor.”

Despite the criticism, Eisenberg remains a beloved actor but unfortunately, we don’t see him too often.

Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor.
Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Lex Luthor was criticized. Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

In an interview with Esquire, the star revealed that there’s a reason why we no longer see him in high-profile projects anymore.

Instead, he’s focusing on the experience he will have playing the part and getting roles that excite him.

Eisenberg told the publication: “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.”

Jesse Eisenberg
Jesse Eisenberg says he’s become a better actor since being a director. Credit: Alamy

In recent years, Eisenberg has published short fiction, he wrote and starred in the narrative series ‘When You Finish Saving the World’ for Audible.

He ended up directing the series into a film of the same name, which he says has made him a better actor.

“It’s kind of taken a bit of anxiety off me as an actor,” he told IndieWire. “Because I see the process from the outside so it’s less daunting.”

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Written by Kyra Hall

Kyra is a content editor at IGV who specializes in film, TV, and celebrity news. She has a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a master's in Documentary Production from Nottingham Trent University. Kyra previously worked as an intern at ITV Tonight and as a freelance filmmaker.