Aaron Sorkin, the acclaimed screenwriter, has recently revealed that he is diligently crafting a sequel script to the iconic film “The Social Network.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sorkin made this announcement during an episode of The Town podcast, which delved into the impact of Facebook and social media on democracy since the release of his Oscar-winning masterpiece.
The original film meticulously chronicled the nascent days of Mark Zuckerberg’s social networking empire, featuring stellar performances by Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake. Now, Sorkin’s follow-up script aims to traverse the tumultuous terrain of Facebook during the Trump era.
During the podcast, Sorkin remained enigmatic about the specifics of the new script, but it appears poised to explore Facebook’s role in the January 6 riots, a tragic event that claimed lives and left over 140 police officers injured. Sorkin boldly asserted, “I blame Facebook for January 6.”
Curiously, he refrained from providing explicit reasons for this accusation, teasing the podcast hosts with the cryptic suggestion that they’ll need to “buy a movie ticket” to uncover the truth. The investigation into January 6 involved subpoenas to tech giants like Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Reddit. Lawmakers contend that Facebook inadequately addressed the “Stop the Steal” movement, which originated on its platform, and failed to recognize the threat posed by extremist groups until after the violence erupted in Washington, D.C.
Frances Haugen, a whistleblower, testified before Congress, revealing that Facebook disbanded its civic integrity team after the 2020 election. She further disclosed that the company knowingly amplified harmful content through its algorithms and platforms, prioritizing profits over safety.
Sorkin, keenly attuned to these developments, criticized Facebook’s algorithmic choices. He asserted that the platform deliberately promotes divisive material to boost user engagement. In his words, “There’s supposed to be a constant tension at Facebook between growth and integrity. There isn’t. There’s just growth.”
Before you rush to your local multiplex for “The Social Network 2” hold your popcorn. The sequel is still in its infancy, and Sorkin has yet to secure a studio partnership for production. Interestingly, this isn’t his first attempt at tackling the subject matter. Previously, he worked on a script exclusively centered around January 6, although it didn’t progress. Whether elements from that earlier script will find their way into the sequel remains uncertain. Sorkin hinted that he’d champion a sequel only if David Fincher returned to direct.
