Jesse Eisenberg explains honest reason he doesn't appear in many films or shows anymore

I don't know whether you've noticed, but there is a certain curly-haired cinema star who has been on the missing list for a while now.

Film fans desperate for another Jesse Eisenberg fix have resorted to rewatching flicks from his extensive movie catalogue or re-runs of his TV gigs, as the actor has gone a bit quiet in recent years.

And it turns out he really isn't too fussed about being the centre of attention either - in fact, Eisenberg's A Real Pain co-star Kieran Culkin revealed that he was 'shaking' when they both posed for photos at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival back in January.

Jesse Eisenberg revealed why he has taken a step back from the spotlight (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)

The Succession star told E! News: "He's just an anxious person. Just now, I had my arm around him and he was shaking. He said, 'Everything, when I go outside, makes me nervous."

According to Culkin, things weren't much different while they were on the film set either.

"Our styles definitely clashed," the 41-year-old continued. "He came to the trailer I was in and he was like, 'OK, are you ready for today?' I was like, 'Oh, I actually don't know what we're shooting today, but it'll be fine.'

"And that made him really nervous."

Eisenberg has has over 40 movie roles under his belt - including in blockbusters such as Zombieland, The Social Network, Now You See Me and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - but now prefers taking on gigs that are a bit more low-profile.

The 40-year-old also swapped positions and was behind the camera for 2022's When You Finish Saving the World, which he both wrote and directed.

These days, Eisenberg is perfectly content with only taking on jobs that excite him which involve characters who he'd enjoy stepping into the shoes of, which explains why we haven't seen him in the cinemas that much lately.

Speaking to Esquire in 2023, the actor said he doesn't really watch his own films, so he prioritises the experience he has while playing the part rather than the finished product.

The actor, 40, explained the reason why he carefully considers his career moves (Lionsgate)

He explained: "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."

Eisenberg also previously opened up about how directing When You Finish Saving the World helped him overcome his fears about the film industry.

The Adventureland star added: "It’s kind of taken a bit of anxiety off me as an actor. Because I see the process from the outside so it’s less daunting.

"Normally as an actor on set I’m a ball of anxiety, and partly that has to do with the fact that I shelter myself so much.

"I don’t watch dailies, I don’t watch the movie, I don’t ask anybody how I’m doing because I’m panicked that I’m not doing well. And having directed a movie, just kind of relieving myself and puncturing the mystique of the whole process of it and the artifice of it allows me to think about it in more practical terms.

"So, maybe I wish I would have done that sooner."