After years of him teasing the project, it’s finally official. Deadline reports that Aaron Sorkin will write and direct “The Social Network Part II” for Sony Pictures. But don’t let the title fool you: Sorkin’s film isn’t a straight sequel to David Fincher’s acclaimed 2010 film but a follow-up that explores the myriad societal implications stemming from the rise of the world’s largest social media platform. Sorkin will also produce the film with Todd Black, Peter Rice, and Stuart Besser via Sony.
Sorkin adapts Jeff Horwitz‘s “The Facebook Files” from 2021 for the project, a collection of articles by the Wall Street Journal writer about how Mark Zuckerberg‘s creation changed culture as we know it. But, no, that doesn’t mean that “The Social Network Part II” is strictly about January 6. Sources told Deadline that Sorkin’s film focuses not only on the 2020 election but also on Facebook’s effects on its younger users, its broader influence on social violence, and geopolitical implications. That’s a lot to tackle in just one film, and a very different one than the character-driven drama of “The Social Network.”
Speaking of Fincher’s film, will Jesse Eisenberg return for Sorkin’s pic? There’s no details on whether the actor, who received an Oscar nod for his role as Zuckerberg in the 2010 film, will be involved in “Part II,” or if Sorkin has even contacted him about it. It’d be difficult for a movie about Facebook not to feature Zuckerberg, but maybe Sorkin’s concept for his next feature doesn’t allow Eisenberg to reprise his role. So, let’s wait and see Eisenberg’s involvement.
Fincher’s “The Social Network” took cinemas by storm back in 2010, swiftly becoming a cultural sensation and earning $226 million at the global box office. Sorkin won Best Adapted Screenplay for adapting Ben Mezrich‘s book “The Accidental Millionaires” for the big screen, and the film earned eight Oscar nods overall, winning three total. Since that picture, Sorkin became even more of a Hollywood “it-writer,” following up “The Social Network” with 2011’s “Moneyball” and 2015’s “Steve Jobs.” After that, Sorkin added directing to his repertoire, helming and writing 2017’s “Molly’s Game,” 2020’s “The Trial Of The Chicago 7,” and 2021’s “Being The Ricardos.” He’s been quiet creatively since then, but has actively teased “The Social Network Part II” in various interviews and on podcasts.
“The Social Network” launched the careers of Zuckerberg and Andrew Garfield, so expect Sorkin’s follow-up to become one of the buzziest projects for Tinseltown agents. No matter what form it takes, this film is automatically one of the most anticipated movies of the next few years, and any rising stars will want to be part of it somehow. Stay tuned for casting news as Sorkin assembles his ensemble.
