"The Social Network 2" in Works

After teasing a potential sequel to his Oscar-winning drama "The Social Network" for years, Aaron Sorkin seems to have found an angle to tackle for his follow-up film. 

Sources tell Deadline that Sorkin has been tapped to direct "The Social Network Part II" for Sony Pictures. 

Insiders say that while it’s being called part two, it’s not a straight sequel but rather a follow-up to the original movie that explored the origins of what would become the world’s biggest social media platform.

Jesse Eisenberg starred as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Network,” but casting has yet to be announced for the sequel. Part 2 is in development with Todd Black, Peter Rice, Sorkin, and Stuart Besser producing.

Sorkin’s original screenplay for the new movie explores the story behind the Wall Street Journal‘s "The Facebook Files" by Jeff Horowitz, an explosive series of articles published in October 2021 that exposed the inner workings of — and multiple harms caused by — the world’s largest social network.

Released in 2010 by Sony Pictures and based on Ben Mezrich’s "The Accidental Millionaires", "The Social Network" was a huge hit with audiences and critics and earned $226 million at the global box office. 

The pic had also been nominated for eight Oscars including Best Picture, the film won three, including Sorkin for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Since its release, Sorkin has noted on several occasions his interest in doing a follow-up, but he couldn’t find the right angle. 

Following the events of January 6, 2021, when the U.S. Capitol was attacked, Sorkin found his new inspiration.

The filmmaker in an interview last year said that he believed Facebook played a part.

Sources stress that the new film isn’t a “January 6” movie" and will focus on "not just on the 2020 election but also Facebook’s effect on teens, preteens, violence, and countries outside the U.S."

Although the original was directed by David Fincher, Sorkin will take on directing duties for this pic having sharpened his skills since the original Social Network came out. His recent directing credits include "Molly’s Game", "The Trial of the Chicago 7", and "Being the Ricardos."