The Social Network 2 confirmation is one of those cinematic events where it’s kind of like “we won but at what cost?”
The Social Network is one of the most beloved movies of the 21st century. And in a culture where movie lovers spend half their time on their hobby forming arbitrary lists or curating their Letterboxd “4 favorites,” it’s hard to miss The Social Network in most of those lists.
The movie follows the come-up of probably one of the most controversial businessmen in the world: Mark Zuckerberg. It’s a biopic that takes significant liberties with the truth and shows not only how Facebook was born, but how Zuckerberg was always willing to double-cross friends and colleagues. Maybe that’s why now he’s apparently gearing to replace your friends’ posts on Instagram with reels created by interactive AI. It’s always been just about business for him.
There are caveats, however. David Fincher, who probably deserved an Oscar for the movie, will not be back. The sequel is the brainchild of the original screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, who’s probably best known for The West Wing. Right now, details on the film are scarce, but according to Deadline, the filmmaker has finally found an angle on how to approach the sequel and will also be directing it.
It’s not surprising that Sorkin found an angle. The technocrats have been unbelievably busy since the setting of the first film. And the sequel is widely believed to focus on more than just Zuckerberg — the merry band of Silicon Valley founders and disruptors are all expected to play a part in some way. Jesse Eisenberg, who has been critical of Zuckerberg lately, has not yet been confirmed to return and reprise his Oscar-nominated role — but it’s going to be hard for fans to imagine the movie without him. He did start this new age.
On social media, fans are already expecting to be treated to Zuckerberg’s fall from public grace. One X user commented they’re excited to watch the film because “Zuck’s downfall arc is gonna be so spicy.” But to be fair, the original movie wasn’t complementary by any means — he is very much an anti-hero at best in the movie. What’s actually more fascinating is that after all these years, Mark Zuckerberg hasn’t gained any moral compass. It’s just inciting wars, selling data to shady consulting firms like Cambridge Analytica to influence elections, and bullying upcoming tech founders.
Zuck's downfall arc is gonna be spicy
— longfeet (@tobatele1) June 25, 2025
The production date of the sequel is not set yet, but according to sources familiar with the situation, Aaron Sorkin has moved on to figuring out who will play who in his ensemble cast. It would be shocking if Elon Musk isn’t a character in the movie with a significant amount of screentime. He is, after all, the one who actually got them into the White House. It’s hard to imagine Aaron Sorkin not at least making this a worthwhile sequel. And at least Mark Zuckerberg’s costume design will be different — even if nothing else about him changed.
