Aaron Sorkin is ‘very worried’ he cannot learn certain directing skills

Aaron Sorkin has admitted he is “very worried” that the directing skills he struggles with may be the ones he cannot learn, as the acclaimed screenwriter reflects on his latest film, The Social Reckoning.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker, known for writing The Social Network and creating The West Wing, discussed his concerns about directing in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, acknowledging that despite years of working alongside some of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors, he has yet to master certain aspects of filmmaking.

“There are parts of screenwriting, important parts, that can be taught and can be learned, but there are parts that can’t be,” Sorkin said. “And those parts that can’t be? That’s usually what we mean when we use the word ‘talent’. I’m very worried that the parts of directing that I’m not good at are those parts that you can’t learn.”

Sorkin, 65, added that he had been surprised by how little he had absorbed about the technical side of filmmaking while working with directors including David Fincher, Rob Reiner, Mike Nichols and Danny Boyle.

“I was surprised by how little of the science of filmmaking I’d managed to absorb,” he said. “I have no visual sensibility, it turns out.”

The filmmaker has directed four feature films since making his directorial debut with Molly’s Game in 2017. His subsequent projects include The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Being the Ricardos, with The Social Reckoning marking his latest effort behind the camera.

The film, a follow-up to Fincher’s 2010 drama The Social Network, examines Facebook’s role in spreading misinformation and its alleged efforts to conceal the harmful effects of its platform. Mikey Madison stars as whistleblower Frances Haugen, while Jeremy Allen White plays journalist Jeff Horwitz and Jeremy Strong takes over the role of Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg from Jesse Eisenberg.

Sorkin revealed that he had originally hoped Fincher would return to direct the sequel, but the filmmaker’s exclusive deal with Netflix prevented him from taking on the Sony Pictures project.

“I was my second choice to direct it,” Sorkin admitted. “I would have rather David Fincher directed it, I would rather David Fincher direct everything, but David has an exclusive deal at Netflix, and this was owned by Sony.”

He also revealed that Eisenberg, who portrayed Zuckerberg in the original film, declined to reprise his role despite Sorkin’s efforts to persuade him. The writer said he had spent a weekend trying to convince the actor to return, even preparing an outline of arguments to make the case.

Sorkin has continued to receive recognition for his writing throughout his career, including an Academy Award for The Social Network. However, The Social Reckoning has received a mixed critical response, prompting renewed discussion about his work as a director.

Despite his concerns, Sorkin said he remains eager to continue learning from experienced filmmakers and believes he has yet to bring all the elements of directing together.

“There are things that I’ve been doing right along the way,” he said. “Just give me one more chance, and one of these days I’ll be able to put it all together.”