Academy Award-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin is back with The Social Network Part II, a sequel to the 2010 hit film that peeled back the curtain on the creation of the world’s largest social media platform. This time, Sorkin isn’t just writing the screenplay—he’s stepping into the director’s chair for the project, which is being developed at Sony Pictures.
The original The Social Network, directed by David Fincher, was a critical and commercial smash, raking in $226 million globally and earning eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Sorkin took home the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work, which was inspired by Ben Mezrich’s book The Accidental Billionaires. The film followed the rise of Facebook and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, played brilliantly by Jesse Eisenberg.
So, what’s the sequel about? Sorkin is drawing inspiration from The Facebook Files, a hard-hitting series of articles by Jeff Horowitz published in the Wall Street Journal in October 2021. These reports exposed the inner workings of Facebook, shedding light on its more controversial practices. Sorkin has been vocal about his interest in exploring the company’s recent history, particularly its role in amplifying divisive content.
Sorkin has hinted that the sequel will focus on how Facebook’s algorithms prioritize engagement over integrity, pushing divisive material to keep users hooked on what insiders call “the infinite scroll.” He’s described a company culture where growth trumps everything else, with little regard for the consequences. “There’s supposed to be a constant tension at Facebook between growth and integrity. There isn’t. It’s just growth,” Sorkin remarked.
The project is being produced by Todd Black, Peter Rice, Stuart Besser, and Sorkin himself. While Sorkin initially suggested in 2021 that a sequel would depend on Fincher’s involvement, it seems he’s now ready to take the reins himself to tell this next chapter of Facebook’s story.
With Sorkin’s knack for sharp dialogue and storytelling, The Social Network Part II promises to be a gripping follow-up, tackling the tech giant’s influence on society in an era where its impact feels more significant than ever.
