Aaron Sorkin’s sequel to “The Social Network Part II” is finally gaining momentum, and he may already have his two leads.
According to Deadline, Sorkin is eyeing Oscar-winner Mikey Madison (“Anora”) and Emmy-winner Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”) as his top choices to “The Social Network.” While no offers have been signed, Sorkin is said to have made the decision that he wants the duo aboard his sequel.
Back in June, it was reported that Sorkin would return not just as screenwriter, but also as director of the spiritual sequel to David Fincher’s 2010 modern classic. Sorkin’s screenplay is said to be inspired by The Facebook Files, the Wall Street Journal investigation from October 2021 that exposed the harm social media knowingly caused, particularly among teenagers.
Earlier this month, I reported about a source telling me that Sorkin’s “Social Network” follow-up would center around Frances Haugen — the former Facebook product manager turned whistleblower — whose 2021 testimony sent shockwaves through the tech world and ignited conversations around social media’s toxic influence. White would portray Jeff Horowitz, the author of the Wall Street Journal piece.
As for Jesse Eisenberg’s return, that remains one of the project’s biggest question marks. Deadline says it’s unclear whether Zuckerberg will play a significant role in the new narrative, or if Eisenberg will reprise his now-iconic performance.
If Madison signs on, the project would mark her first major studio effort since her breakout in Sean Baker’s “Anora,” for which she took home Best Actress at the Oscars. She is due to shoot A24’s “The Masque of the Red Death,” based on an Edgar Allan Poe story, from filmmaker Charlie Polinger, in early 2026.
As mentioned, Sorkin, who won the screenplay Oscar for the 2010 original, will direct this one himself, which would represent a shift from Fincher’s meticulous visual style. Sorkin has only directed three films so far (“Molly’s Game,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” “Being the Ricardos”).
Netflix and Skydance Animation have also called it quits. The two sides announced Monday that they're ending the animated film deal struck back in 2023, framing it as a mutual decision.