The Social Network Premieres in New York

(Pictured: Andrew Garfield, Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake & Armie Hammer)

The New York Film Festival started out with a big bang — and a lot of hoopla. Tonight saw the debut of one of the most anticipated films of the year, (and not just within Hollywood circles) The Social Network, the sordid tale of ego, lying, Harvard, and the birth of Facebook.

Jesse Eisenberg plays Mark Zuckerberg, who now at 26, is the 35th richest man in America (according to Forbes) surpassing the net worth of even the mighty Steve Jobs.

Tonight’s premiere brought out Eisenberg, new Spiderman Andrew Garfield, Armie Hammer, producer Kevin Spacey, Gina Gershon and writer Aaron Sorkin. Director David Fincher was not present, as he is currently in Sweden working on his latest, the remake of the Swedish bestseller, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, starring Daniel Craig (aka James Bond).

Mark Zuckerberg did not attend tonight’s premiere.