Aaron Sorkin Writing ‘The Social Network’ Sequel About Polarizing Algorithm

Getty Images

Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin has reiterated his plans to write a sequel to his acclaimed drama, The social networkexamining the origins of Facebook, which will focus on the social media platform’s impact on American democracy.

In a recent episode of the Entertainment Business Podcast The city, recorded live in Washington, D.C., Sorkin told Matthew Belloni and Peter Hamby: “Look, yes, I’m going to write about it. I blame Facebook for January 6th.

When asked to elaborate on how the project would address the events of that infamous day, which saw a mob of supporters of then-US President Donald Trump storm the US Capitol, he said: ‘a neutral tone: “You’re going to have to buy a cinema ticket.

Sorkin, however, shared that he “tried” to make the project into a film specifically. “Facebook has, among other things, tweaked its algorithm to promote the most controversial content possible, because that’s what will increase engagement. That’s what will get you to what they call in the halls of Facebook, “infinite scrolling,” Sorkin said. “There is supposed to be a constant tension at Facebook between growth and integrity. There are not any ; there is only growth.

Sources close to Sorkin emphasize that this project is at “a very, very early stage” and has no connection with a previous January 6 project that he spoke about, and which is no longer active.

Sorkin has repeatedly alluded to the prospect of a Social network following in recent years, telling Happy Sad Confused podcast in 2020 that he intended to examine “the dark side of Facebook” but emphasizing: “I won’t write it unless (original filmmaker David Fincher) directs it.” If Billy Wilder came back from the grave and said he wanted to direct it, I would say I would only do it with David.

Sorkin teased the project again in a 2021 interview with Deadline. “There’s no doubt there’s a story. Whether or not you want to call it a sequel, there’s a story there,” the writer said. “Whether I’m the type to say it or not, I’m not sure. What I mean is, as we speak, I wouldn’t be able to write. I don’t really know how to tell the story, and I think it’s probably also something I wouldn’t want to do without David Fincher.

Inspired by the book by Ben Mezrich Accidental billionairesthe original Social network delved into the creation of Facebook and the legal battles that followed. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Armie Hammer and many others, the film grossed over $224 million worldwide and won several Academy Awards, including one for Sorkin in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.