The Social Network, a 2011 film directed by David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club), is set to have a sequel written and directed by original writer Aaron Sorkin.
The 2011 film is a biographical drama based off the book The Accidental Billionaires. The original features Jesse Eisenberg (Mark Zuckerberg) alongside Andrew Garfield (Eduardo Saverin) amongst famous actors: Dakota Johnson, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, and Rooney Mara. The film was well-received by audiences, producing $224.9 million in the box office. It holds eight Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor; and three wins for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Film Editing.
Following the progression from Facebook’s conception at Harvard University to the dramatic dissolution of a friendship amidst major lawsuit, the original Social Network is appreciated by student audiences and film fans alike. However, the announcement has been met with controversy.
Jack Gold, a Film & TV student at Edinburgh Napier, said: “This is big news for male manipulators.”
Lydia Kempton, graphic designer for University of Edinburgh’s FilmSoc, added: “Sounds interesting… but I worry it will end up doing too much. I think the original is pretty hard to beat.”
Though Facebook was the subject matter of the original, Sorkin and Fincher’s vision shaped the film to explore friendship at its core back in 2010.
The news comes as a surprise as Sorkin previously stated he would only return to The Social Network with Fincher.
The reasons for Fincher’s absence have not yet been disclosed, although the director is currently working on a sequel to Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.
Sorkin has developed his directing resumé since the release of The Social Network in 2010, with credits for Molly’s Game, The Trial of Chicago 7, and Being the Ricardos. However, fans speculate whether the second part will live up to the original without its previous director on board.
“I’m just really tired of sequels and I’m not sure we need more of them,” said Lydia.
Sources told Deadline that the second part will be a follow-up over a straight sequel. The new screenplay, written by Sorkin, will explore Wall Street Journal’s The Facebook Files by Jeff Horowitz — which consisted of leaked Facebook documents exposing Zuckerberg’s complicity. Inspiration developed following the events of January 6th 2021, an attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters, for which Sorkin believed Facebook played a role.
“I blame Facebook for January 6,” said Sorkin.
“You’re going to need to buy a movie ticket.”
It is uncertain whether Jesse Eisenberg will reprise his role, though the actor was pivotal to the success of the last film; it would be difficult to imagine The Social Network with a new face.
Producers Todd Black, Peter Rice, Sorkin, and Stuart Besser will develop the film. The cast is yet to be announced.
“Aaron Sorkin (27566400913)” by Dominick D is licensed under CC BY 2.0.