Adam Driver Really Wanted More Ben Solo: Why Disney Said No to 'The Hunt for Ben Solo'

Turns out, Adam Driver and acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh had a whole Star Wars movie planned for Kylo Ren's return after The Rise of Skywalker. But even with a "coolest ever" script and Lucasfilm's approval, Disney gave it a hard pass, sparking a massive fan campaign.

TL;DR

• Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh developed "The Hunt for Ben Solo," a Star Wars film continuing Kylo Ren's story after The Rise of Skywalker.
• Lucasfilm was on board, but Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman rejected the project, citing Ben Solo's death in the sequel trilogy.
• Fans are passionately campaigning for the film, even flying a banner over Disney Studios, arguing for Ben Solo's potential resurrection via the Force Dyad.

Alright, fellow Star Wars fanatics, gather 'round because we've got some juicy, bittersweet news from a galaxy not so far away. You know Adam Driver, right? Our intense, conflicted, redeemed-then-gone-too-soon villain, Kylo Ren, a.k.a. Ben Solo? Well, it turns out Driver wasn't ready to say goodbye after The Rise of Skywalker either, and he wasn't alone in wanting to explore Ben's journey further. He actually teamed up with legendary director Steven Soderbergh for a spin-off movie!

Yeah, you read that right. Steven Soderbergh (the mastermind behind Ocean's Eleven and Contagion) wrote a Star Wars script. And guess what? Lucasfilm reportedly loved it! But here's where the Force got unbalanced: Disney, specifically top execs Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, ultimately shut the whole thing down. Hard.

When Kylo Ren's Story Wasn't Quite Over for Adam Driver

Adam Driver has always been pretty vocal about his deep connection to the character of Kylo Ren. From his brooding intensity to his internal struggle between the light and dark sides of the Force, Ben Solo was easily one of the most compelling parts of the sequel trilogy. Even after his ultimate sacrifice and redemption at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Driver felt there was "unfinished business." He wasn't ready to let Ben rest.

This passion led him to pitch an ambitious idea: a standalone film diving deeper into Ben Solo's development after Episode IX. The tentative title? The Hunt for Ben Solo. Driver reportedly admired the concept and was super eager to see Ben's journey evolve in a more character-driven way. He even called it "one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of." That's high praise from an actor known for his discerning taste!

Steven Soderbergh's Star Wars Vision: A Script Too Cool for Disney?

It's not every day a director like Steven Soderbergh, known for his unique, often indie approach, takes a swing at a massive franchise like Star Wars. Yet, he penned the script for The Hunt for Ben Solo, and according to Driver, it truly captured his imagination. The idea was to offer an introspective exploration of the tormented Ben Solo, delving into the man behind Kylo Ren's mask. Many fans hoped this could potentially reconcile some divided opinions about the character's arc in the sequels.

The project wasn't just a fleeting thought; discussions with Lucasfilm progressed quite a bit, and they were apparently "on board" with the concept. "They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it," Driver shared. Imagine the buzz in those rooms! A Soderbergh Star Wars film, starring Adam Driver, focusing on a complex character like Ben Solo. It sounded like a dream team. But then came the corporate hurdle.

"We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman and they said no. They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that."

— Adam Driver (via Associated Press)

Despite the enthusiasm from Driver, Soderbergh, and even Lucasfilm, the proposal ultimately stalled. Driver and Soderbergh brought their compelling package to Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, who delivered a definitive "no." Soderbergh later confirmed on Bluesky that he "did not enjoy lying about the existence" of the script, adding that Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy told him it was "a first" for Disney to reject a completed Star Wars movie script for greenlight.

Why Disney Said 'No' to Ben Solo's Return from the Dead

So, why the firm rejection, especially when Lucasfilm seemed open to it? Disney's primary reason, as stated by Driver, was that they "didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive" after his death in The Rise of Skywalker. His body famously disappeared, becoming one with the Force after sacrificing himself to save Rey. For Disney, it seems, that was a final ending.

The studio is clearly signaling a forward-looking strategy for the Star Wars universe. They're developing new projects like The Mandalorian and Grogu (a big-screen expansion), Star Wars Starfighter, and the highly anticipated New Jedi Order film, which will see Daisy Ridley reprise her role as Rey trying to restore the Jedi. While unconfirmed rumors suggest the Rey film might be on hold pending script approval, the overall message from Disney is a desire to move beyond the sequel trilogy's direct aftermath.

Many narrative purists would also argue that Ben Solo's death held significant weight. His sacrifice for Rey mirrored and contrasted his grandfather Anakin Skywalker's inability to save Padmé, providing a powerful and definitive redemption arc. Bringing him back, some argue, would undermine that emotional impact and the very finality that made his ending meaningful.

Fans Fight Back: The Force Dyad and a Banner Plane!

However, many fans didn't take Disney's rejection lying down. The news of The Hunt for Ben Solo sparked a passionate outpouring across social media, with many expressing disappointment and bewilderment. After all, this is Star Wars, a universe where death isn't always permanent. We've seen Palpatine return (somehow!), Darth Maul survive being cut in half, and characters like Asajj Ventress and Ahsoka Tano find ways back from the brink.

One of the strongest fan arguments for Ben Solo's return centers on the Force Dyad. This powerful bond between Rey and Kylo Ren, introduced in the sequel trilogy, allowed them to connect across space and time and even pass objects to each other. Fans point out that Ben himself resurrected Rey at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, albeit at the cost of his own life. Couldn't Rey, now more powerful, find a way to reciprocate, perhaps through the Dyad? As many argue, it wouldn't be "all that challenging" to craft a narrative explanation for his survival.

The fan campaign even took to the skies! Just days after the news broke, a plane flew over Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, trailing a banner that boldly read: "SAVE #THEHUNTFORBENSOLO." The stunt was organized by fan Lianna Al Allaf, who told Collider, "I really hope this banner shows the decision makers at Disney that the fans really do want this... and that the fans really do want this movie." It's a clear demonstration of the enduring love and dedication a segment of the fanbase holds for Ben Solo and the potential for his continued story.

Is Disney Missing Out on Valuable Creative Opportunities?

The rejection of The Hunt for Ben Solo isn't an isolated incident. There's a history of high-profile directors and intriguing Star Wars projects that never materialized. David Fincher, known for his dark and complex films, also had "conversations with Lucasfilm about directing a movie after Episode IX." While the details of his pitch are unknown, it ultimately fell through because Fincher reportedly wanted final cut, which Lucasfilm wouldn't grant. Other shelved projects include Rian Johnson's proposed trilogy, a Guillermo del Toro Jabba the Hutt movie, and a film from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

This pattern raises questions about Disney's approach to the Star Wars franchise. While the studio's desire for "safe bets" and a streamlined new era is understandable, especially after the divisive reception of the sequel trilogy, some argue that this cautiousness might be stifling creative exploration. Shows like Andor have proven that ambitious, character-driven storytelling can thrive within the Star Wars universe, even without relying solely on legacy characters. Passing on a unique vision from talents like Driver and Soderbergh might mean missing out on exciting, potentially fan-favorite narratives.

The Unending Debate: Where Does Ben Solo Go from Here?

For now, The Hunt for Ben Solo remains a captivating "what if" in the Star Wars canon. Adam Driver has made it clear that "it is no more, so I can finally talk about it," implying the project is dead. Disney is pushing ahead with its slate of upcoming films and shows, cementing its focus on new narratives and expanding the existing universe rather than revisiting completed character arcs from the sequel era.

The debate among fans, however, is far from over. Will the passionate #SaveTheHuntForBenSolo campaign sway Disney in the future? Or is Ben Solo's story truly, definitively, at an end, leaving us only to imagine the movie Steven Soderbergh and Adam Driver cooked up? Only time will tell if the Force will ever awaken for Ben Solo again on the big screen.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About 'The Hunt for Ben Solo'

• Was 'The Hunt for Ben Solo' a real script?

  Yes, Steven Soderbergh confirmed he wrote a completed script for "The Hunt for Ben Solo." Adam Driver also praised it as one of the "coolest" projects he'd been part of.

• Why did Disney reject the Ben Solo movie?

  Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman reportedly rejected the film because they couldn't see a viable way for Ben Solo to be alive after his death in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

• Who was involved in 'The Hunt for Ben Solo'?

  Adam Driver (who would have reprised his role as Ben Solo/Kylo Ren) and Steven Soderbergh (who wrote the script and would have directed).

• What's next for Star Wars movies?

  Disney's upcoming slate includes The Mandalorian and Grogu, Star Wars Starfighter, and Star Wars: New Jedi Order starring Daisy Ridley as Rey.

Sources

• Cinema: "Adam Driver Admits He Wanted to Continue Playing His Big Sci-Fi Villain, but Disney Put a Definitive Stop"
• Deadline: "Steven Soderbergh Comments on His Rejected Script for ‘Star Wars: The Hunt for Ben Solo’"
• Variety: "Steven Soderbergh Says He ‘Did Not Enjoy’ Hiding ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ From Fans"
• The Guardian: "This isn’t the spin-off you’re looking for: why Disney was right to ditch Adam Driver’s Ben Solo movie"
• Collider: "Adam Driver's Rejected Ben Solo Star Wars Movie Gets a Fan Banner Protest"
• ScreenRant: "How Star Wars Can Easily Bring Ben Solo Back After The Rise of Skywalker"
• Polygon: "Kylo Ren’s death was impactful, and a sequel would ruin it"
• io9 (Gizmodo): "‘Star Wars’ Might Have Turned Down Another Big Director Too"
• A.V. Club: "Kylo Ren fans have already flown a "Save #TheHuntForBenSolo" banner over Disney"