Facebook the movie based on Facebook the book?

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Speculation about the new Facebook movie penned by Hollywood scribe Aaron Sorkin has reached epic levels. Now a report says the film will be based on an upcoming book by ‘Bringing Down the House’ author Ben Mezrich about the controversial and complex dorm-room origins of Facebook.

The website of the magazine 02138 -- which is aimed at Harvard alumni -- reported Friday that Sony Pictures Entertainment and producer Scott Rudin, who are behind Sorkin’s screenplay, have also optioned Mezrich’s book, which purportedly has a working title of ‘Face Off’ and examines Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s falling out with early Facebook executive Eduardo Saverin. A Sony spokesman declined to comment on whether Sony has optioned the book. Sorkin’s publicist could not be immediately reached for comment.

The guessing game about Sorkin’s film began when he started a Facebook group to learn more about the popular social networking site. In a later redacted description of his effort, he said he planned to write about how Zuckerberg and others started Facebook to meet women, an allegation made in a leaked book proposal.

-- Jessica Guynn