15 Years Later, The Social Network 2 Is Confirmed - And The Story Connects Facebook & Trump

15 years after the original movie, The Social Network 2 is 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 Network was 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, ᴅᴇᴀᴅline reports that The Social Network sequel is moving forward. Aaron Sorkin is writing the screenplay and stepping into the director’s chair, replacing David Fincher. The movie, тιтled The Social Network Part II, is based on the Wall Street Journal series of articles in 2021 known as The Facebook Files.

Despite the тιтling, this report notes that it is “not a straight sequel” and instead “a follow-up to the original movie.” The specific story will reportedly 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 Network cast members will come back for the sequel.

What Story The Sequel Will Explore

The confirmation of The Social Network Part II comes with some big updates on where the sequel stands. Although David 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 film The Adventures of Cliff Booth with 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 directed Molly’s Game, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Being the Ricardos.

The source of inspiration for The Social Network 2 is also notable. The Facebook Files are 17 articles from The Wall Street Journal that looked at Facebook documents that prove how harmful the social media platform can be. WSJ‘s The Facebook Files provide a glimpse into what Sorkin’s sequel will dive into.

It’s also a bit unclear if The Social Network Part II is different from Sorkin’s January 6th movie revealed to be in the works last year in an interview with Puck‘s Matt Belloni. ᴅᴇᴀᴅline‘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.

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Will It Match The Original?

Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg looking sad while holding onto a Facebook card in The Social Network

The decision to make The Social Network 2 is 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 pᴀssion 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 of The Social Network 2 news to drop.

Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline