Aaron Sorkin Says He Lacks Visual Instinct After Social Reckoning Flop

For Aaron Sorkin, the release of The Social Reckoning marked a shift in how he views his own career. The 65-year-old writer and director recently told The Hollywood Reporter that he was the second choice to helm the film. He expressed a preference for David Fincher, the director of the 2010 hit The Social Network, to be behind the camera. However, Fincher holds an exclusive deal with Netflix, while Sony owns the rights to the new project. Consequently, Sorkin took on the directing duties for the $40 million production.

The film, which opened in theaters on October 9, has underperformed at the box office. It has earned just $15 million worldwide, a figure that falls short of expectations for a major studio release. Critical reception has also been mixed, with the film currently holding a 54 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie stars Mikey Madison as a whistleblower, Jeremy Allen White as a journalist, and Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg. It serves as a sequel of sorts to The Social Network, a film Sorkin wrote sixteen years ago.

Sorkin has written screenplays for 35 years. His credits include A Few Good Men, The American President, and The Trial of the Chicago 7. He has won Academy Awards and Golden Globes for his writing work. Despite this track record, he has faced criticism for his directing efforts in recent films, including Molly's Game and Being the Ricardos. During an interview at the Newport Beach Film Festival, where he received the Maverick Director Award, he discussed his struggles with the craft.

Sorkin stated that he feels as if he just entered the movie business a few minutes ago. He noted that he is unsure how much of the craft he does not know. He compared his situation to screenwriting students who ask if the art can be taught. He explained that some parts of writing can be learned, but others rely on talent. He expressed concern that the specific areas where he lacks skill in directing are the ones that cannot be taught.

The director admitted that he has no visual sensibility. He was surprised by how little of the science of filmmaking he had absorbed before taking on the role. He clarified that his challenges do not stem from working with actors. Instead, his difficulty lies in knowing how to artfully use a camera. He said he is not done wanting to work with great directors, but the learning curve has been steeper than he anticipated.

Sorkin drew a comparison to football coaches who are interviewed after a losing game. Those coaches often claim that the elements for a win were present but did not come together. Sorkin said he feels the same way about directing. He believes he has been doing things right along the way. He asked for one more chance to put all the pieces together on a future project.

In other news, Sorkin discussed the potential revival of The West Wing. He said he always wants to rekindle the show but noted that a story is required. He also mentioned that the cast has gotten older. Sorkin commented on the state of mid-range budget movies, suggesting that most of his previous works would now be streaming features rather than theatrical releases. He is also working on a new Lincoln Center revival of A Few Good Men, which he is rewriting after his Broadway debut.

The film industry has seen a shift in how films are distributed and consumed. Sorkin's experience with The Social Reckoning highlights the challenges faced by high-profile screenwriters when they step behind the camera. The financial performance of the film will likely influence how studios approach similar projects in the future. Sorkin's candid assessment of his own abilities offers a rare look into the private doubts of a celebrated Hollywood figure.