Aaron Sorkin, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter, has confirmed that he is in the middle of writing a sequel to the 2010 film ‘The Social Network’. This time, the story won’t just revisit the early drama around Facebook’s creation. Instead, it will follow how the company, now rebranded as Meta, grew into a global force and how that influence tied into some of the most pressing and controversial events of the past decade. Among them, the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol and the explosive revelations from whistleblower Frances Haugen.
Key Takeaways
- Aaron Sorkin is currently writing the script for the sequel to ‘The Social Network’.
- The plot will pick up after the events of the first film, leading into the January 6th, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack.
- Frances Haugen’s leaked Facebook Papers will be central to the story.
- Sorkin has expressed interest in casting ‘Succession’ star Jeremy Strong, though his role has not been revealed.
The original film chronicled the founding of Facebook and the lawsuits that came in its wake. This follow-up will essentially take that baton and carry it forward, charting the company’s rise and the backlash over how its platforms shaped public life. Sorkin himself has said he sees a straight line between what unfolded in the first film and the Capitol riot, noting how social media was used to coordinate and spread information that fueled the violence.
Central to this new chapter is the cache of documents known as the “Facebook Papers.” Leaked in 2021 by Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager, the files revealed the company’s own internal awareness of serious issues. Among them were concerns over Instagram’s impact on teenagers’ mental health and evidence that its algorithms often pushed users toward divisive or extreme content. These disclosures will provide a major throughline for the sequel’s narrative, highlighting the tension between innovation, profit, and responsibility.
Casting, however, remains up in the air. Jesse Eisenberg, who portrayed Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in the original film, has not been confirmed to return. Sorkin has openly said he wants Jeremy Strong involved, though he was careful to clarify that Strong would not be stepping into Zuckerberg’s role. Instead, Sorkin hinted at another yet-to-be-disclosed character. For now, no official casting announcements have been made, and it is also uncertain whether director David Fincher will return to helm the project.
What seems clear is that Sorkin wants the film to grapple with bigger questions about technology’s role in society. This isn’t just another corporate drama; it’s a story about how social media, for better or worse, is tangled up with democracy itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is ‘The Social Network 2’ confirmed?
A. Yes, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin has confirmed he is in the process of writing the script for the sequel.
Q. Who is writing the sequel?
A. Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the original film and won an Oscar for the screenplay, is writing the sequel.
Q. What will the sequel be about?
A. The new film will focus on Facebook’s (now Meta’s) influence on society, its connection to the January 6th U.S. Capitol attack, and the internal documents leaked by whistleblower Frances Haugen.
Q. Will Jesse Eisenberg return as Mark Zuckerberg?
A. It has not been confirmed whether Jesse Eisenberg or other original cast members will return for the sequel.
Q. Is Jeremy Strong playing Mark Zuckerberg?
A. No. While Aaron Sorkin has stated he wants Jeremy Strong for a key role in the movie, he has not been cast as Mark Zuckerberg. The specific role has not been announced.
Q. Who was Frances Haugen?
A. Frances Haugen is a former Facebook employee who, in 2021, leaked thousands of internal company documents to the public and regulators. These documents revealed what Facebook knew about the real-world harm its platforms could cause.
