Aaron Sorkin to Write and Direct ‘Social Network’ Sequel

Aaron Sorkin is working on The Social Network Part II.

It seems that the director who won an Academy Award has supposedly penned down a script for a follow-up movie to his 2010 hit, featuring Jesse Eisenberg portraying Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, and chronicling the inception of the social media giant.

According to Deadline, Sorkin is slated to take over as director for the upcoming sequel, marking a return 15 years later since David Fincher last directed the original film.

As reported by the source, the upcoming film is said to deviate from being a direct sequel and instead serve as a continuation or “extension” of the initial movie, delving deeper into the platform’s background.

The screenplay explores the narrative behind the “Facebook Files,” a collection of articles published in October 2021 by journalist Jeff Horowitz for the Wall Street Journal.

The pieces sought to expose Facebook’s inner workings, and the harms caused by them.

Despite Aaron Sorkin stating his viewpoint that Facebook contributed to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, it appears the upcoming film won’t solely focus on the incidents of that specific day.

Additionally, it will explore the influence the site exerts on adolescents, including pre-teens, as well as its role in promoting violence, and its far-reaching impact on nations globally.

In 2021, Sorkin disclosed his intentions for a sequel, emphasizing that “the events surrounding Facebook over the past few years present a tale that is definitely worth sharing.” At that point, he mentioned that the sequel’s production hinged on Fincher’s agreement to direct the upcoming film.

Previously, he suggested that Facebook was responsible for the U.S. Capitol incident, however, during his podcast, “The Town,” he playfully hinted that the listeners might have to purchase a cinema ticket to discover the real reason behind this claim.

He admitted to working on a follow-up, and gave a clue regarding the path it would likely follow.

He mentioned: “Facebook has been adjusting its algorithm to prioritize content that causes division, as this is what boosts engagement. This, in turn, leads users to ‘infinite scroll,’ a term used within Facebook’s offices…

At Facebook, it’s commonly perceived that there’s a continuous struggle between prioritizing growth and maintaining integrity. However, in reality, the emphasis is primarily on growth, with integrity often taking a secondary role.

At this point, it remains uncertain whether Eisenberg will take up the role of Zuckerberg again, as the actors for the part have not been announced yet.

13 Actors Who Returned To Iconic Roles Decades Later

1. Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler in Jurassic World: Dominion

In the 1993 blockbuster film, Jurassic Park, Laura Dern’s character Dr. Ellie Sattler, with her iconic high-waisted khaki shorts, became a beloved figure for moviegoers everywhere. Her charming portrayal, in tandem with Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant and Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm, added a unique charm to Jurassic Park that makes it a must-watch time and again. Three decades later, Dern reprised her role in 2022’s Jurassic World: Dominion, the concluding chapter of the reboot trilogy. During the film’s development, Dern collaborated closely with director Colin Trevorrow to ensure that Ellie remained authentic and consistent with the character fans remembered from Jurassic Park. As she expressed to Vogue, “I was thrilled by the concept of her continuing as an activist and a voice against corporate exploitation. It all felt very fitting for the Ellie we came to know back then.

2. Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars — Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

It’s well-known that George Lucas, the brainchild behind the “Star Wars” series, originally thought his science fiction saga might bomb, but history proved him wrong. Today, “Star Wars” stands as one of the most durable and valuable film franchises ever created. Thus, it was a significant moment for fans when Mark Hamill returned to portray Luke Skywalker in the sequel trilogy. Although he had a small part in “The Force Awakens,” his role expanded significantly in 2017’s “The Last Jedi” – nearly four decades after he first appeared as Luke Skywalker. The sequel trilogy also showcased the late Carrie Fisher as Leia Skywalker and Harrison Ford as Han Solo.

3. Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in Halloween

Jamie Lee Curtis made a significant mark as a “scream queen” by portraying Laurie Strode in the chilling 1978 horror movie, Halloween. Interestingly, she was just 19 during the filming of this classic. After that breakthrough performance, her career skyrocketed, but she’s always been eager to revisit her beginnings. Over six sequels, Curtis has kept the character of Laurie vibrant and alive. The latest addition, Halloween Ends in 2022, is a remarkable 44 years after the original Halloween. Her commitment to the role of Laurie didn’t escape notice—even basketball icon LeBron James hailed her as a “legend & badass” on Twitter following a viewing of the film.

4. Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates in Psycho II & III

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that no one has come close to the chilling tension Alfred Hitchcock masterfully crafted in his 1960 classic, “Psycho”. Yet, in 1983, director Richard Franklin dared to revisit this dark world with “Psycho II”, a sequel set 22 years later. While it doesn’t quite scale the same heights as the original, Anthony Perkins once again delivers an electrifying portrayal of Norman Bates. Intriguingly, Perkins would go on to direct the next installment in this thrilling franchise, “Psycho III”, which unfolds just a month after the events of “Psycho II”.

5. Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner 2049

Few movie series can manage a 35-year interval between releases, but remarkably, the iconic film franchise Blade Runner succeeded in doing so. The initial Blade Runner was unveiled in 1982, featuring Harrison Ford as ex-cop Rick Deckard. Despite its lackluster theater performance upon debut, the original Blade Runner has since earned a reputation as a sci-fi masterwork. In 2017, Denis Villenueve’s Blade Runner 2049 graced the screens once more, with Ford reprising his role as Rick Deckard, while the story unfolded 30 years after the first film’s conclusion. This time around, Ryan Gosling stepped into the spotlight as K, another “blade runner” who joins forces with Deckard amidst the ruins of Las Vegas.

6. Michael Keaton as Batman in Batgirl

Although the DC film project featuring Batgirl was ultimately canceled, Michael Keaton reminded us that it’s never too late to return as a hero. Interestingly, Keaton was scheduled to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the now-abandoned HBO Max production – marking his first time wearing the iconic suit in three decades. Though Batgirl images of Keaton as Batman have surfaced online, it appears that his scenes were indeed filmed. Fortunately, Keaton will reappear as the superhero in another DC project, The Flash, which is slated for release in June 2023 (fingers crossed!).

7. Jeff Goldblum as David Levinson in Independence Day: Resurgence

In the 1996 film “Independence Day”, while Will Smith might have been the main star, Jeff Goldblum delivered an exceptional performance as David Levinson, a satellite engineer from MIT. Interestingly, two decades later, Smith opted not to reprise his role for the sequel. In contrast, Goldblum, along with Bill Pullman, chose to return. The storyline of “Independence Day: Resurgence” unfolds 20 years after the initial alien invasion, a time when Smith’s character has unfortunately been written off. Unfortunately, the film didn’t fare well at the box office. Nevertheless, it’s always enjoyable to see Goldblum portraying a nerdy scientist character, although his performance in “Jurassic Park” might still be your favorite.

8. Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo in Rambo

Though Sylvester Stallone is often recognized for his portrayal of Rocky Balboa in the Rocky series, it’s important not to overlook his lengthy depiction as John J. Rambo. The original Rambo film, First Blood, debuted in 1982, followed by two more movies in 1985 and 1988. Stallone took a break from the role for a span of twenty years before reprising it for the fourth movie, simply titled Rambo, which was released in 2008. This film, also directed and co-written by Stallone, received mixed reactions due to its intense violence, but Stallone’s consistent acting was highly commended by critics.

9. Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn in Tron

The 1982 film “Tron” was revolutionary in its visual effects, setting the stage for a sequel that wouldn’t arrive until 28 years later. In the original movie, Jeff Bridges portrays Kevin Flynn, a former video game designer and arcade owner who is transported into his old company’s mainframe through laser digitization. In the 2010 continuation, “Tron: Legacy”, it has been seven years since Bridges’ character, Kevin, went missing; his son, Samuel (played by Garrett Hedlund), steps in to rescue him by venturing into “the Grid”. Interestingly, Bridges also takes on the role of Clu (Codified Likeness Utility) in the 2010 film, using digital makeup and voiceovers.

10. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels as Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne in Dumb and Dumber To

Prior to the release of “Dumb and Dumber To” in 2014, a 2003 prequel titled “Dumb and Dumber” was made. This prequel didn’t feature Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels because it depicted their teenage years. However, the duo came together for “Dumb and Dumber To,” the sequel to the original film that released 20 years later. In this sequel, Carrey and Daniels reappeared as Harry Dunne and Lloyd Christmas. Despite not quite recapturing the charm of the first movie, it was delightful seeing them back together. This was even more enjoyable considering the challenging pre-production phase of the film, which included a brief departure from Jim Carrey himself.

11. Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves as Bill and Ted in Bill & Ted Face The Music

Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter make an entertaining duo in the 1989 film “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” creating a friendship that seems timeless. They returned to their roles in 1991 for “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.” After almost three decades, they reunited in 2020 for “Bill & Ted Face The Music.” In this latest installment, the characters are now parents and must compose a song that can save humanity before time and space are destroyed. Despite their characters being grown-ups now, the unique bond between Reeves and Winter remains as strong as ever.

2025-06-26 19:25