Jesse Eisenberg has revealed that he plans to spend more of the next chapter of his life making movies in Europe, saying Hollywood has made it increasingly difficult to produce the kinds of films he loves.
The former Mark Zuckerberg actor shared the update while receiving the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival President’s Award for his significant contribution to the film industry.
At the event, he also revealed that he is set to receive Polish citizenship, a move that further underscores his desire to build a deeper personal and professional connection to Central Europe.
Jesse Eisenberg’s receipt of the KVIFF President’s Award came with more than just an acceptance speech. It also included an announcement about the next chapter of his career.
The actor revealed that he now plans to focus more of his career outside Hollywood, a decision that comes as he prepares to officially receive Polish citizenship.
“Being here has particular meaning for me right now, because in exactly one week I am receiving my Polish citizenship,” the actor said on stage at the Grand Hall of the Hotel Thermal.
“I pursued Polish citizenship because of my family’s heritage, but also because I want to spend more time in my life and my career working in Europe, specifically Central Europe,” he added.
Eisenberg Says Hollywood Is Squeezing Out Mid-Budget Films
In his speech, Eisenberg explained why he wants to focus more on Europe rather than deepen his ties to Hollywood.
“In America, many of the kind of films that I love so much – human scale, strange mid-budget films – have become increasingly difficult to make, but in Europe, those movies are thriving and celebrated,” he said.
Eisenberg’s comments come at a time when major Hollywood studios continue to lean heavily on franchise films, sequels, and other big-budget releases in pursuit of stronger box office returns.
That shift has made it harder for smaller, character-driven films to secure the same level of support, making Europe an increasingly attractive creative space for filmmakers like Eisenberg.
Jesse Eisenberg Says Europe Feels Like Home
The transition from Hollywood to more work in Europe is unlikely to feel unfamiliar for Eisenberg, who already has a history of filming projects in the region.
One such project was “A Real Pain,” which was shot in Poland. He has also worked on films in Bosnia, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.
Speaking to the media on the red carpet at KVIFF, the actor further explained that his decision was driven by his feeling “very at home” in Europe, a sentiment he also linked to his family heritage. “My family lived in this part of the world for way longer than we lived in America. And so, in a way, I’m far more Czech and Polish than I am American,” he said.
The Actor Had Already Left Hollywood Behind
Even before his recent announcement, Eisenberg had already parted ways with Hollywood, at least as a place of residence.
The actor said in a CBS interview last year that he had embraced a quieter life in Indiana, following in the footsteps of several celebrities who no longer call Hollywood home.
“I lived in Indiana for the last decade on and off,” the “Wild Indian” star said. “That’s where I feel kind of most comfortable. I’m not somebody who wants to surround myself in an industry that just feels kind of unstable to me.”
His comments made it clear that his latest Europe-focused career plans are not a sudden break from Hollywood, but part of a longer shift away from the industry’s traditional center. CBS aired the interview in February 2025, and E! also reported the same Indiana remarks.
Jesse Eisenberg’s Next Chapter May Be Behind The Camera
As an actor, writer, and director, Eisenberg may now be at a crossroads about which part of his career to prioritize in this new chapter.
However, his recent body of work suggests he has already been leaning toward more creative control behind the camera.
Over the past few years, he has increasingly focused on developing his own projects, serving as a writer, director, or producer on films such as “A Real Pain” and “Secret Mall Apartment.”
His upcoming film, “The Debut,” further reinforces that possibility. Eisenberg is set to write and direct the project, with reports also noting his involvement in the film’s original music and songs.
