Aaron Sorkin expected Jesse Eisenberg to return as Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Reckoning” — so much so that the possibility of a refusal did not initially enter his thinking.

The director and writer said he was only a few pages away from completing the script when he crossed paths with Eisenberg at a party. Sorkin told the actor, “I’m gonna be sending you something in a couple of weeks.” After Eisenberg smiled and nodded, Sorkin followed through.

“It never occurred to me that he wouldn’t wanna do it,” Sorkin said.

Eisenberg ultimately declined to reprise the role he played in 2010’s “The Social Network.” Jeremy Strong will instead portray the Facebook founder in “The Social Reckoning,” Sorkin’s 2026 follow-up, which is set to arrive in theaters on Oct. 9.

Sorkin prepared a pitch for Eisenberg

Sorkin did not accept Eisenberg’s initial reluctance without making an unusually organized attempt to change his mind. The filmmaker said he prepared an outline specifically for their discussions — something he does not ordinarily do when working on movies.

“This is the only time I’ve written myself an outline,” Sorkin said. “I don’t do it for the movies, but I did it for my conversations with Jesse.”

That outline collected Sorkin’s arguments for why Eisenberg should return. Among them was the fact that the actor had already proved himself in the role, along with the dramatic material the new movie would give him.

“They included, ‘We already know you’re gonna be great because you were already once,’” Sorkin recalled. “You know, ‘Here are the great moments that you’re gonna get to play in the movie.’ And I laid it out for him.”

The presentation was not enough to secure Eisenberg’s participation, but it apparently made the decision more difficult. Sorkin said Eisenberg told him, “You made me come closer to changing my mind than I thought you were going to.” The response, Sorkin added, “pleased” him.

Money could not change Eisenberg’s decision

A potentially substantial payday also failed to bring Eisenberg back. Sorkin said he knew how much the studio had offered the actor, but maintained that financial incentives were unlikely to persuade him.

“Money does not motivate Jesse. It’s infuriating,” Sorkin said. “If anything, money is a disincentive for him. It’s admirable. He’s very concerned about raising his kids with too much money.”

Eisenberg has given his own explanation for moving on from Zuckerberg. He said he told Sorkin that he was heading in different directions in his life and no longer wanted to be connected to the character.

“I don’t want to be associated with that character, but all of my reasons for not wanting to do the movie have nothing to do with how wonderful the movie is, and will be, and I’m sure is already,” Eisenberg said.

His decision marks a major casting change between the two films. Eisenberg earned an Oscar nomination for portraying Zuckerberg in “The Social Network,” which also starred Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake.

The 2010 movie received eight Oscar nominations and won three awards. Sorkin won best adapted screenplay, while the film also took the prizes for best film editing and best original score.

A new cast takes over

With Strong now playing Zuckerberg, “The Social Reckoning” will move ahead without the actor most closely connected to the role in Sorkin’s earlier film. The new cast also includes Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, Billy Magnussen and Bill Burr, among others.

Although Sorkin’s carefully planned appeal nearly shifted Eisenberg’s position, the actor remained firm. Audiences will see Strong take on the role when “The Social Reckoning” opens in theaters on Oct. 9.