Aaron Sorkin has revealed he is in the process of writing a follow-up film to The Social Network, focusing on the January 6 riots.
The screenwriter, who also created The West Wing, won an Oscar for his work on the 2010 drama, which looked at the origins of Facebook and its founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Sorkin spoke on a new podcast interview about the January 2021 riots, which saw supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump storm the Capitol building in Washington D.C. as Congress tried to certify Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.
“I’ll be writing about this. I blame Facebook for January 6,” he told The Town podcast, and when the host asked him to explain further, Sorkin teased: “You’re going to need to buy a movie ticket.”
“You’re going to write a movie about this?” the host pressed further, Sorkin replying: “I’m trying.”
Speaking more about the social platform, the writer reflected: “Facebook has been, among other things, tuning its algorithm to promote the most divisive material possible, because that is what will increase engagement.
“That is what will get you to, what they call inside the hallways of Facebook, ‘the infinite scroll’…,” he continued, before blaming Zuckerberg. “There’s supposed to be a constant tension at Facebook between growth and integrity. There isn’t. It’s just growth.”
Back in 2019, Sorkin addressed the possibility of a Social Network sequel, telling AP Entertainment: “First of all, I know a lot more about Facebook in 2005 than I do in 2018.
Aaron Sorkin speaks during the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute celebrating Nicole Kidman at Dolby Theatre on April 27, 2024 in Hollywood, California. CREDIT: Getty/Alberto E. Rodriguez
“But I know enough to know that there should be a sequel. A lot of very interesting, dramatic stuff has happened since the movie ends with settling the lawsuit from the Winklevoss Twins and Eduardo Saverin.”
He added: “I’ve gotten more than one email from [producer Scott Rudin] with an article attached saying, ‘Isn’t it time for a sequel?’”
Meanwhile, last year Sorkin admitted he feared “he was never going to be able to write again” after suffering a stroke recently.
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