Social networking sites are atwitter in anticipation of the upcoming book, The Accidental Billionaires (to be published Tuesday) and David Fincher film, The Social Network (screenplay by Aaron Sorkin) about Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg. (Hat tip: A List of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago).
The two names bruited about to play the shaggy and shifty Zuckerberg, the socially-challenged guy sued by his partners, are Michael Cera (Arrested Development, Juno, Year One) and Shia LaBeouf (Transformers, Disturbia, Indiana Jones XXXVI). These gifted young actors share offbeat timing and self-deprecating humor but little else. Cera is an Indieworld darling (see Juno, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, the upcoming Paper Heart) while LaBeouf has been anointed Bankable Hollywood Youngling. I like them both, but if I was casting this movie I'd go with Cera, who would be a bigger surprise as the guy who sells out his partners, than LaBeouf, so eager for bigtime success that it would not be a surprise if he elbowed the competition to get to the finish line. (Not that it matters, but Cera more resembles Zuckerberg.) In other words, Cera plays loveable losers, LaBeouf eyes-on-the-prize winners. It's like the difference between Matt Dillon and Tom Cruise.
Your thoughts? Favorite Cera and LaBeouf roles.
Agreed- LaBeouf has a conniving quality about him, maybe its that slick veneer he sports. I'd take painfully awkward and endearing Cera anyday!— MorganL
Comment removed.- I've enjoyed Cera in the movies you mentioned. (His work in "Juno" was particularly good - I can't imagine the movie working as well without his performance: it allowed me to see what I was supposed to like about Ellen Paige's character.) He needs good directors to help him avoid the trap of becoming a collection of too-familiar gestures and mannerisms. On the other hand, I don't enjoy LaBeouf. It's not that he's bad, but he seems to make the most obvious choice as an actor in every situation. I admit that some of my feelings come from my resentment at feeling as though the powers that be in Hollywood are giving me no choice but to accept him as a major star, when he just doesn't seem that special, in either looks or talent, to me. The best work I've seen from him so far was his small role in "Bobby," where he didn't have to carry the movie with his charisma and talent. Maybe that's a sign that he'd be happier in character roles?— wwolfe
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