15 years after the original movie,The Social Network 2is officially happening with Aaron Sorkin returning to write and direct the film. The original movie focused on Facebook’s origin under founder Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and his relationship with Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield).
The Social Networkwas a huge hit upon its release, making $224 million at the box office and earning rave reviews (96% on Rotten Tomatoes). It went on to receive eight Oscar nominations, winning three. Since then, original writer Aaron Sorkin has suggested a sequel could happen, with David Fincher even teasing his possible return at times.
After teasing the possibility of a sequel for several years,Deadlinereports thatThe Social Networksequel is moving forward.Aaron Sorkin is writing the screenplay and stepping into the director’s chair, replacing David Fincher. The movie, titledThe Social Network Part II, is based on theWall Street Journalseries of articles in 2021 known asThe Facebook Files.
Despite the titling, this report notes that it is"not a straight sequel"and instead"a follow-up to the original movie.“The specific story willreportedly focus on the 2020 election and Facebook’s effect on teenagers, violence, and the world.
Sony Pictures has greenlit the sequel, but there is currently no release date confirmed. It’s also unconfirmed which, if any,The Social Networkcast memberswill come back for the sequel.
What The Social Network 2’s Development Means For The Movie
What Story The Sequel Will Explore
The confirmation ofThe Social Network Part IIcomes with some big updates on where the sequel stands. AlthoughDavid Fincher had been open to directing a sequel previously, he is not involved at this stage. The reason appears to be his exclusive deal with Netflix, where he’s now prepping to filmThe Adventures of Cliff Boothwith Brad Pitt.
In Fincher’s absence, Sorkin is stepping up to continue his directorial career. While he only wrote the first film, the Oscar-winning writer has since directedMolly’s Game,The Trial of the Chicago 7, andBeing the Ricardos.
The source of inspiration forThe Social Network 2is also notable.The Facebook Filesare 17 articles fromThe Wall Street Journalthat looked at Facebook documentsthat prove how harmful the social media platform can be.WSJ’sTheFacebook Filesprovide a glimpse into what Sorkin’s sequel will dive into.
It’s also a bit unclear ifThe Social Network Part IIis different fromSorkin’s January 6th movierevealed to be in the works last year in an interview withPuck’s Matt Belloni.Deadline’s report says that the sequel"isn’t a “January 6” movie,“but Sorkin’s previous tease and these new plot details line up well.
Our Take On The Social Network’s Sequel
Will It Match The Original?
The decision to makeThe Social Network 2is a bold one by Aaron Sorkin, considering how highly regarded the first movie is. There will be lofty expectations for the new film to meet, both critically and financially, as well as in terms of its quality.
It’s become clear that there is more to explore with Facebook based on what has transpired in real life. The social media’s impact on elections, misinformation, mental health, and more have all been scrutinized in recent years.
At this stage, I’m definitely curious how Sorkin will handle the movie, its Trump connections, and how deep into Facebook’s inner workings the film will explore. I’d be more excited if Fincher was coming back to direct, but Sorkin’s passion for bringing this material to life is hopefully an encouraging sign.
I’m also hopeful that Sorkin convinces Jesse Eisenberg to come back as Zuckerberg once more, as it will feel a bit odd if Facebook’s founder is not part of this narrative. Perhaps that’s the next piece ofThe Social Network 2news to drop.
