The Sequel to The Social Network is on the Way, with Aaron Sorkin Assuming a New Position

It’s been 15 years since The Social Network hit theaters, giving moviegoers an iconic look at the shady history of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg. And after years of rumors about a sequel, it sounds like Part 2 is finally happening.

Aaron Sorkin, the writer of The Social Network, is set to both write and direct The Social Network Part II, according to a new report from Deadline. The original movie was directed by David Fincher, known for movies like Fight Club (1999), Gone Girl (2014), and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011). Sorkin’s directing credits include Molly’s Game, Being the Ricardos, and The Trial of the Chicago 7.

The movie will be based on The Facebook Files, a series of articles from the Wall Street Journal that explored the documents leaked by Meta whistleblower Frances Haugen in 2021. Gizmodo wrote our own series of articles based on the same files. According to Deadline, Sorkin will focus on the violence that was inspired by Facebook’s platform, including the social media platform’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attempted self-coup by Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol.

But unnamed sources were quick to tell Deadline this wouldn’t just be a Jan. 6th movie. There are plenty of other angles to approach the topic of violence linked to Facebook, including the company’s role in amplifying hate in Myanmar in 2017, contributing to that country’s genocide of Rohingya Muslims. The news outlet notes the movie will look at “Facebook’s effect on teens, preteens, violence, and countries outside the U.S.”

The movie isn’t in production yet, and while Jesse Eisenberg played Zuckerberg in the first movie, it’s not clear whether he’ll return. Deadline even says it’s unknown how big of a role Zuckerberg will have in the new movie, suggesting it’s possible that we spend a lot more time with characters outside the company rather than a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of Facebook.

The original movie was a box office hit, raking in $226 million globally and earning 8 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. The Social Network went on to win three Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Score.

There’s no word yet on whether Trent Reznor will supply the soundtrack for the Social Network sequel, another thing that, like Fincher, really set the first movie apart. The original Facebook movie was Reznor’s first dedicated soundtrack for a film, and he’s gone on to compose other hit soundtracks with his producing partner Atticus Ross for movies like Fincher’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011), The Killer (2023), and the 2019 HBO series Watchmen.