It’s finally happening: ‘The Social Network’ is getting a sequel more than a decade after its original release, and the internet has had a lot to say about it. Directed and written once again by Aaron Sorkin, ‘The Social Reckoning’ will arrive in theaters on October 9, 2026, promising a very different story from the 2010 original.
However, naturally, one of the biggest questions fans had was whether any cast members from the first film would return, with Andrew Garfield at the top of the list.
Andrew Garfield Confirms He Isn’t Returning For ‘The Social Network’ Sequel
Garfield earned widespread praise (and an Oscar nomination) for his performance as Eduardo Saverin, Facebook’s co-founder, who was pushed aside by Mark Zuckerberg during the company’s explosive rise. His portrayal remains one of the film’s emotional anchors. So, it’s impossible to think about the franchise without his devastating “Sorry, my Prada’s at the cleaners” courtroom moment. However, Garfield has officially addressed the sequel, and it’s not the news some fans were hoping for.
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In a new interview with IndieWire, the actor was asked point-blank if he plans to return as Eduardo. “No, no. Eduardo is in Singapore, having a good time,” he joked. It was a light-hearted, almost affectionate acknowledgement that Saverin’s chapter in the story is closed. Garfield didn’t sound dismissive or regretful, just truthful. When asked if he was at least excited to watch the film, he responded with a warm, “Oh yeah.”
And to be fair, his absence makes sense given the direction of the sequel. Unlike many Hollywood sequels that pick up where the previous story left off, ‘The Social Reckoning‘ is built around a completely different era of Facebook. The film won’t center on Mark Zuckerberg’s college years or the legal battles that defined Facebook’s early days. Instead, it will revolve around Frances Haugen, the former Facebook employee who leaked thousands of internal documents in 2021.
These documents, known as “The Facebook Files,” sparked global outrage and congressional testimony. Mikey Madison will portray Haugen, while Jeremy Allen White will play Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horowitz. Their involvement alone signals a significant pivot. It’s clear that the film is not a nostalgia sequel, but a reckoning, as the title implies.
Jesse Eisenberg Will Not Reprise His Role As Mark Zuckerberg
Even more notably, Jesse Eisenberg will not reprise his role as Zuckerberg. ‘Succession’ star Jeremy Strong will take his place. Casting Strong, known for his intense, deeply committed approach to character work, hints at a darker, perhaps more psychologically complex interpretation of Zuckerberg in his later years. The decision to recast Zuckerberg further distances the sequel from the original ensemble.
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With Garfield, Eisenberg, and the rest of the original actors not returning, ‘The Social Reckoning‘ appears less like a continuation of the 2010 narrative and more like a spiritual successor anchored in the same universe. And narratively, Garfield’s Eduardo doesn’t have a place in this version of the story. Saverin has long been out of Meta’s operations, reportedly living abroad, focusing on investments and entrepreneurship.
From a storytelling perspective, Sorkin seems more focused on examining Facebook’s long-term consequences on society and democracy. What makes this sequel compelling isn’t just the return of Aaron Sorkin; it’s the shift in tone and urgency. Where ‘The Social Network’ explored ego, ambition, and betrayal in the tech boom, ‘The Social Reckoning’ is poised to interrogate misinformation, mental health, and the platform’s global influence.
