After years of speculation and occasional hints, Aaron Sorkin is officially returning to the world of Facebook. Sources confirm that Sorkin will direct a new film for Sony Pictures titled The Social Network Part II. While labeled a sequel, the project will not pick up directly where the 2010 film left off but will serve as a thematic continuation, exploring Facebook’s evolution and broader impact on society. The film is currently in development with producers Todd Black, Peter Rice, Stuart Besser, and Sorkin himself attached.
A New Chapter Inspired by Investigative Journalism
The fresh screenplay, penned by Sorkin, draws its narrative from The Facebook Files, a series of revealing articles written by Jeff Horwitz and published by The Wall Street Journal in October 2021. These reports shed light on internal operations at Facebook and the various societal harms linked to the platform, including its influence on mental health, misinformation, and political unrest.
Revisiting a Modern Classic
Released in 2010, The Social Network was a commercial and critical triumph, grossing $226 million worldwide. Adapted from Ben Mezrich’s book The Accidental Billionaires, the film earned eight Academy Award nominations and won three, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Sorkin. David Fincher directed the original, which starred Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Sorkin Takes the Director’s Chair
This time around, Sorkin is stepping behind the camera himself. Since the release of The Social Network, he has directed Molly’s Game, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Being the Ricardos, gaining solid recognition for his work as a filmmaker. While the 2021 Capitol riot sparked a renewed sense of urgency in Sorkin to revisit the Facebook story — he previously expressed the belief that the platform contributed to the unrest — sources are clear that this new film is not focused solely on January 6. Instead, it will address a wider array of topics, including Facebook’s role in the 2020 U.S. election, its influence on young users, and its global implications.
Casting Yet to Be Confirmed
No official production start date has been announced. However, with the core team in place, Sorkin is now shifting his attention to casting. The original film launched the careers of several now-prominent actors, including Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield, and the upcoming follow-up is expected to attract considerable attention from top talent agencies. As for Eisenberg, who received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Zuckerberg, it’s still uncertain whether he will reprise his role. Given the subject matter, Zuckerberg is likely to appear in the new film in some form — though it remains unclear to what extent the original cast will be involved.
