Inspired by the Wall Street Journal revelations exposing how Meta was aware of the harm caused by its platforms, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin is considering a sequel to David Fincher’s masterpiece The Social Network, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake. The three-time Oscar-winning film recounted the rocky creation of Facebook. News came out that Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White will be part of the cast of this new film titled The Social Reckoning and scheduled for October 2026…
By The Editorial Team.
Published on 1 August 2025. Updated on 29 September 2025.
The Social Network: David Fincher’s phenomenal success
2009 – Director David Fincher (Fight Club, Zodiac) teams up with screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, then basking in the success of the TV series The West Wing (1999). Their goal? To adapt Ben Mezrich’s 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires. The man is drawn to its rich narrative of betrayal, power, and ambition. In short, an ideal story for the big screen. The book traces back the tumultuous journey of the founders of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg and his former Harvard classmates. The narrative is largely based on the account of Eduardo Saverin, one of the co-founder, who was later ousted. A mix of factual narrative and suspenseful drama, the book would serve as the foundation for The Social Network screenplay.
Filming began in October 2009 on the campuses of Phillips Academy and Milton Academy. The now-famous breakup scene required 99 takes. An early sign of David Fincher’s perfectionism and attention to detail.
The release of The Social Network in October 2010 was unanimous acclaimed by the critics. The film boasted a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Jesse Eisenberg’s performance was widely praised, and Première magazine described the film as “the story of a rise without a fall, and thus without any chance of return or redemption. A dizzying success that forces its creator to set sail for new heights of solitude. In short, a staggering film.”
The undeniable cultural impact of The Social Network
The Social Network is a landmark film and earned three Oscars out of five nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Original Score. Most importantly, it crystalized a new fascination with tech moguls. These new rockstars helped restore the image of entrepreneurs, who are sometimes depicted as ruthless. In the United States, many startup founders credit the film as the initial spark for their ventures.
But beyond the success of Facebook, the film also highlights the human cost of success. Mark Zuckerberg becomes a lonely billionaire. He is brilliant, yet socially hollowed out. Over the years, real events like Cambridge Analytica, disinformation, polarization, have made the film feel increasingly prophetic.
In 2016, Wired declared that David Fincher’s film resonates more than ever. According to the magazine, the work revealed “your fundamental truths about privacy, power, [and] the tech industry.” Even back in 2010, the movie felt like a warning against tech dominance.
Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin is working on a sequel
A sign of its continued relevance… The Social Network Part II is on its way. According to Deadline and several other media, Aaron Sorkin will be writing and directing the sequel in partnership with Sony. This won’t be a remake of Zuckerberg’s college days, but rather a dramatic thriller inspired by the Facebook Files investigation published by The Wall Street Journal in 2021. The report revealed how Meta (formerly Facebook) was aware of the harm its platforms were causing, particularly among teenagers, while continuing to promote misinformation.
Aaron Sorkin said that he made up his mind in the aftermath of January 6th, 2021, stating that Facebook is to blame for the climate that enabled Donald Trump‘s supporters to launch the Capitol attack. Still, he clarifies: “This is not a movie about January 6.” According to Deadline, the story will focus on teens mental health, disinformation, and Facebook’s international influence…
Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison in the cast
Regarding the casting, several media like Deadline and Variety mentioned Mikey Madison (Anora), Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) as part of the cast. Jeremy Strong (Succession) will apparently star in the sequel too. The latter may portray the controversial Mark Zuckerberg. The cast will also include Bill Burr (Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian).
Jesse Eisenberg had also expressed interest in reprising the role of the founder of Facebook. The latest news confirmed that Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake and Armie Hammer will not part of the project. Nor is David Fincher, who will not star in the sequel scheduled for release on October 9th, 2026.
The Social Reckoning by Aaron Sorkin, coming out in theatres in the United States on October 9th, 2026.
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