'The Social Network' sequel will focus on Haugen leaks, with Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg | TechCrunch

The Social Network Sequel to Focus on Haugen Leaks, with Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg A sequel to the 2010 film The Social Network is in the works, with a focus on the high-profile leaks by former Facebook employee Frances Haugen. The new film, titled The Social Reckoning, will be written and directed by Aaron Sorkin and set for release on October 9, 2026. According to sources close to the project, Jeremy Strong has been cast as Mark Zuckerberg in the sequel, replacing Jesse Eisenberg's breakout role from the original film. Strong is known for his method acting technique, which involves immersing himself in the mental and emotional state of a character. This approach may be particularly relevant for playing Zuckerberg, given the intense scrutiny he has faced over Facebook's handling of user data. The story will center around Haugen, who leaked a massive trove of internal documents to a Wall Street Journal reporter in 2021. The leak revealed that Facebook was aware of Instagram's negative impact on mental health but chose not to act on it. "Frances Haugen's revelations were a major wake-up call for the tech industry," said a spokesperson for the film. "We're excited to explore this pivotal moment in history and its ongoing implications." The Social Network, released 15 years ago, chronicled the rise of Facebook from its early days as a Harvard University project to its eventual IPO. The sequel will not pick up directly where the original left off but instead focus on the aftermath of Haugen's leak. Industry experts say that the film's focus on Haugen's leaks is timely and relevant. "The tech industry has been grappling with issues of accountability and transparency for years," said a tech analyst. "This film will undoubtedly spark important conversations about the role of social media in our lives." Production on The Social Reckoning is set to begin later this year, with a cast that includes Mikey Madison as Haugen and Jeremy Allen White as the Wall Street Journal reporter who received the leaked documents. The release date for The Social Reckoning has been announced as October 9, 2026. Fans of the original film will be eager to see how Sorkin's sequel explores the complex issues surrounding social media and its impact on society. Background: Frances Haugen is a former Facebook product manager who leaked internal documents in 2021 that revealed the company's knowledge of Instagram's negative effects on mental health. The leak sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater regulation of the tech industry. Aaron Sorkin, writer and director of The Social Network, has been vocal about his concerns regarding social media's impact on society. "The tech industry has a responsibility to prioritize people over profits," he said in a statement. Additional Perspectives: Industry experts say that the film's focus on Haugen's leaks is timely and relevant. "The tech industry has been grappling with issues of accountability and transparency for years," said a tech analyst. "This film will undoubtedly spark important conversations about the role of social media in our lives." Current Status and Next Developments: Production on The Social Reckoning is set to begin later this year, with a cast that includes Mikey Madison as Haugen and Jeremy Allen White as the Wall Street Journal reporter who received the leaked documents. Fans of the original film will be eager to see how Sorkin's sequel explores the complex issues surrounding social media and its impact on society. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*