An Oscar-winning film that helped define a generation is making a dramatic return â but not in the way fans might expect. Over a decade after “The Social Network” captivated audiences with its sharp storytelling and cutting-edge commentary, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin is bringing the story back to life with a surprise sequel.
The Oscar-winning writer of The Social Network has written a sequel and will direct it for Sony, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
This new film offers a darker, more complex take. Unlike the original, which was based on Ben Mezrichâs “The Accidental Billionaires”, the sequel is inspired by The Facebook Files. The 2021 Wall Street Journal series by Jeff Horwitz exposed the platformâs internal practices and their real-world consequences.
Inside the Scandal: How The Facebook Files Inspired Sorkinâs Darker Sequel
“The Facebook Files” exposed internal documents and whistleblower testimony that detailed the platformâs role in spreading misinformation, harming mental health, and prioritizing profit over user safety.
Although The Wall Street Journal is not officially involved in the film, the articles form the backbone of Sorkinâs new script, which heâs been hinting at for years.
âThereâs supposed to be a constant tension at Facebook between growth and integrity. There isnât. Thereâs just growth,â Sorkin said in 2023. âIf Mark Zuckerberg woke up tomorrow morning and realized there is nothing you can buy for $120 billion that you canât buy for $119 billion ⦠you can tune up integrity and tune down growth.â
The Team Headlining the Sequel
Sorkin won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the first “Social Network” film, directed by David Fincher.
This time, Sorkin will also take on directing duties. Producers include Todd Black, Peter Rice, Sorkin himself, and Stuart Besser.
Will Jesse Eisenberg Return as Zuckerberg?
Jesse Eisenberg earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg in 2010âs “The Social Network”. While thereâs no official confirmation about his return, fans can hardly imagine another actor stepping into Zuckerbergâs now-iconic Adidas slides.
The first Social Network film became a cultural landmark, combining legal tension and tech ambition with standout performances. It earned eight Oscar nods and took home three, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Sorkin.
Since then, Sorkin has directed critically acclaimed titles like Mollyâs Game, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Being the Ricardos. But for many, his return to Facebook â now with a sharper, more urgent lens â is his most anticipated work yet.
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