If it feels like you can’t open your feed these days without reading about a new sequel in the works, then you wouldn’t be wrong. Nearly every film from the nineties and noughts is getting a next-gen upgrade, but it’s The Social Network 2 – and its rumoured cast – that’s surprised us the most.
The original film, written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher was adapted for screen using Ben Mezrich’s book The Accidental Billionaires, which charted the early days of Facebook and its creator, Mark Zuckerberg.
Released in 2010, the critically acclaimed film earned its star, Jesse Eisenberg, an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Zuckerberg, but it’s not the Now You See Me star who’ll be returning for the reboot. Instead, the name being touted as the lead for The Social Network Part II is none other than Succession star, Jeremy Strong – a clever casting choice if we do say so ourselves.
After all, who better to bring the broligarchy figurehead to life than the man who gave us Kendall “I’m the eldest boy” Roy? It’s an immediate yes from us.
But that’s not all we have to speculate about in terms of The Social Network 2 cast. Below, everything we know about the upcoming sequel, including the names circling the industry chat.
What Is The Social Network 2 About?
Strong is set to take on the role of the Meta-era Zuck in the sequel that will focus on the Wall Street Journal series The Facebook Files – a 2021 investigation into the platform’s harmful practices toxic culture and political reach.
The claims published in the series range from suppressing certain political viewpoints (and pushing others) to predatory algorithms increasingly impacting youth mental health, and, of course, its role in the January 6 riot.
Needless to say the content is ripe for Sorkin-style exposition and given the writer’s well-documented opinions of the platform, we have no doubt in his ability to do so. “Facebook, has been, among other things, tuning its algorithm to promote the most divisive material possible,” Sorkin said during a 2024 episode of The Town podcast. “There is supposed to be a constant tension at Facebook between growth and integrity – there isn’t.”
Who Will Be Cast In The Social Network Part II?
The original film’s stacked cast featured the likes of Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara, Dakota Johnson, Brenda Song and Armie Hammer – just to name a few.
But with no word of which, if any, of the original cast might be returning for the follow-up, headlines are focused on the new faces attached to the script so far.
Below, every actor rumoured to be joining The Social Network 2 cast, so far.
Jeremy Strong
While not confirmed as part of the cast just yet, Jeremy Strong is considered the top contender for the show’s lead – Meta CEO and Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg.
According to sources, Strong is currently in talks with production about signing on after The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Jesse Eisenberg had passed on the offer to reprise his original role.
Although he’s most well-known as the actor who played Kendall Roy in all four seasons of Succession, he’s also played a slew of memorable characters in films such as The Apprentice, The Gentlemen and The Big Short. And, if contract negotiations work out, he’ll likely be heading straight from the set of the upcoming Springsteen biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere – and if all goes to plan, he might be sharing an Uber with his current co-star, Jeremy Allen White.
Jeremy Allen White
From The Bear to The Boss, Jeremy Allen White is having a big year and scoring a part in the next Sorkin/Fincher thriller would certainly cap it off nicely.
Per Deadline, White’s name is being linked to the role of Jeff Horwitz, the journalist behind the explosive WSJ series The Facebook Files, but no confirmation has come through just yet.
The real ones will recognised White from his breakthrough role as Lip Gallagher in the long-running series Shameless (not to be confused with the inferior British version) but it was his critically acclaimed portrayal as Carmy, on The Bear that shot him into the A-list stratosphere.
In 2025, he’s set to star as Bruce Springsteen in Deliver Me From Nowhere – alongside Jeremy Strong – and is joining the Star Wars universe as Rotta The Hutt in the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu film.
Mikey Madison
After her breakout role in Anora scored her a Oscar for Best Actress, Mikey Madison has been the belle of the Hollywood ball.
But her next move has remained relatively unknown until now.
If the rumours of her joining the cast for The Social Network Part II are to believed, then she’s set to light up our screens once more – and in a blockbuster role, no less.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Madison is being courted for the role of Frances Haugen, “the data engineer-turned whistleblower who went to the Securities and Exchange commission and the Wall Street Journal with her information.”
We love that for her.
As we get closer to confirming either way, we’ll be keeping our eyes on the industry notifications and updating you accordingly.
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