Aaron Sorkin’s long-anticipated follow-up to ‘The Social Network’ is gathering steam — and big-name talent. The Oscar-winning writer of the 2010 film has penned and will direct the sequel for Sony, which is inspired by ‘The Facebook Files,’ a series of explosive articles by Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz.

Jeremy Strong, fresh off his Oscar-nominated turn in ‘The Apprentice’ and best known for his Emmy-winning role on HBO’s ‘Succession,’ has joined the high-profile project. He reunites with Sorkin after portraying Jerry Rubin in ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7.’ While Strong’s role is being kept under wraps, sources say he’s being considered for either a Wall Street Journal editor or — more provocatively — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Jesse Eisenberg, who earned an Oscar nod for portraying Zuckerberg in the original film directed by David Fincher, has reportedly passed on reprising the role, though that may still evolve.

Strong could be joined by Oscar-winner Mikey Madison (‘Anora’) and two-time Emmy winner Jeremy Allen White (‘The Bear’), both of whom have met with Sorkin for leading roles. Madison is in line to portray whistleblower Frances Haugen, the former Facebook data engineer who exposed the company’s internal knowledge of social media’s harmful effects on teens, misinformation spread, and its role in the events of January 6, 2021. White would take on the role of Jeff Horwitz, the investigative journalist who broke the Facebook Files for the WSJ.

Insiders emphasize that no formal offers have been made and the film remains in development, but it is a fast-moving top priority for Sony. Sorkin is currently assembling a package of cast and budget to present for final studio approval.

The new film shifts focus from the founding of Facebook — as told in the acclaimed 2010 original — to its ethical unraveling, spotlighting internal reports revealing its impact on mental health, misinformation, and political instability. Comparisons have been made to ‘The Insider’ and ‘Spotlight,’ both journalism-driven dramas centered on exposing powerful institutions.

Sorkin is producing alongside Todd Black, Peter Rice, and Stuart Besser.

Madison has been riding a career high following her Oscar and BAFTA wins for ‘Anora,’ which also won Best Picture. She previously appeared in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ and ‘Scream’ (2022), and is slated to lead ‘The Masque of the Red Death’ for A24 in 2026.

White, meanwhile, is gearing up for the October 24 release of ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,’ in which he stars as Bruce Springsteen during the making of the album Nebraska.

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