Image Credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesDuring one scene of The Social Network, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and his friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) attend a Harvard lecture by none other than Bill Gates. In the movie, the guy up on stage sure looks a lot like the Microsoft creator. And he sounds just like him, too. In fact, the resemblance is so close that we had to straight-up ask director David Fincher: Was that really Bill Gates in your movie?
“It was. We asked him,” says Fincher.
Wait, a minute. Really?
“No, I’m bulls—ting you,” he laughs. “It was actually this guy from Seattle, who I think on his website is known as the No. 1 Bill Gates impersonator in the world.”
While no digital retouching was necessary for the look-alike, there was one small problem: He didn’t sound exactly like Bill Gates. So Fincher put out a casting call for a voice double — and ended up with an unlikely winner.
“It’s funny, because I walked into the recording stage, and here’s this 24-year-old African American kid with dreadlocks,” says Fincher. “And it’s like, ‘Oh. That’s the voice of Bill Gates.’”
For more on The Social Network, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly on stands now. To watch Dave Karger’s video chat with the stars and screenwriter (part 3 embedded below), go to EW.com/socialnetworkvideo.
More ‘Social Network’:
EW Review: ‘The Social Network’
Dave Karger: Can ‘The Social Network’ snag three Best Supporting Actor nods?
Dave Karger’s video chat with ‘Social Network’ stars and screenwriter
Could have sworn that was Bill Gates, now you ruined it, but the movie was still freakin awesome. Oscar to Jesse, please. Oh, and thanks EW for sending me the Andrew/Justin/Jesse cover instead of vein-y Justin. Just love it.
Don’t you think that if it was actually Bill Gates, they would have inserted a closeup, or even a medium closeup, at some point?
It obviously wasn’t bill gates if you have half a brain.
Ya know I wondered if it was Bill Gates, too — so I checked the credits. Doesn’t make a rocket scientist.
Dave Karger, you’re a cutie!!
Ditto!
bill might have done it for a donation to his charity…
LOL I was wondering about this too! Thanks for the clarification.
I came in late so I didn’t even know who the speaker was.
LOL, that part was hilarious!
Dave Karger has some of the most absurd reaction shots I’ve ever seen in an interview.
worst movie ever.
Don’t worry, katieann. They are doing a sequel to Beverly Hills Chihuahua. I’m sure you will enjoy that.
lol
perfect riposte, TL!!
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