Adam Driver's Ben Solo Movie: Why Disney Said No (And Why Fans Are Fighting Back)

Get ready, Star Wars fans! The news about a potential Kylo Ren spin-off has sent shockwaves through the galaxy, and now, devoted fans are taking matters into their own hands to save it.

TL;DR on the "The Hunt for Ben Solo" Project

• Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) and director Steven Soderbergh developed "The Hunt for Ben Solo," a film set after The Rise of Skywalker focusing on Ben's redemption.
• Lucasfilm executives loved the script, but Disney CEO Bob Iger and co-chairman Alan Bergman rejected it, citing Ben Solo's death in the sequel trilogy's finale.
• Furious fans recently flew a "Save The Hunt for Ben Solo" banner over Disney Studios, demanding the project be reconsidered.

A Shockwave from a Galaxy Not So Far Away: Adam Driver Drops a Bomb

Hold onto your lightsabers, everyone! This week, the internet exploded with news that Adam Driver, our beloved (and conflicted) Ben Solo/Kylo Ren, had been secretly working on a new Star Wars movie. And not just any movie, but a direct follow-up to 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, featuring his character in a story of redemption.

Imagine: a Steven Soderbergh-directed Star Wars film. Yes, THAT Steven Soderbergh, the visionary behind movies like Ocean's Eleven and Contagion. Driver spilled the beans in a recent interview with the Associated Press, revealing that he and Soderbergh had spent a solid two years crafting a script for a project tentatively titled The Hunt for Ben Solo. Driver said he was finally able to talk about it because, sadly, Disney had officially declined the proposal. Cue the collective gasp across the fandom.

Adam Driver's Passion for Bringing Ben Solo Back

Driver, who played Ben Solo in all three Sequel Trilogy films (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker), clearly wasn't ready to let go of the character after his heroic, albeit divisive, death. He mentioned that he'd been in talks about another Star Wars movie since 2021, after Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy reportedly reached out.

Driver made it clear he was always open to returning, but only under the right circumstances. "I always said: with a great director and a great story, I'd be there in a second," he stated. "I loved that character and loved playing him." And with Steven Soderbergh at the helm, it sounded like he found his "great director." The vision for The Hunt for Ben Solo was described as a "handmade and character-driven" film, a spirit Driver compared to the iconic Empire Strikes Back.

Soderbergh, alongside Rebecca Blunt, roughed out the story, and frequent Soderbergh collaborator Scott Z. Burns was brought in to pen the script. Driver raved about the outcome, calling it "one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of."

The Internal Support and Ultimate Disney Rejection of the Project

The project initially gained significant traction within Lucasfilm. Driver and Soderbergh pitched their idea to a formidable trio: Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm vice president Cary Beck, and chief creative officer Dave Filoni (a fan-favorite figure known for his work on animated shows like The Clone Wars and live-action series like The Mandalorian). According to Driver, Lucasfilm "loved the idea" and "totally understood our angle and why we were doing it." It sounds like it was full steam ahead!

However, the journey to the big screen hit a massive roadblock when the project reached the highest echelons of Disney. CEO Bob Iger and co-chairman Alan Bergman ultimately said no. Their reason? A rather blunt one: "They didn't see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that," Driver recounted. This decision is particularly notable because, as Soderbergh revealed, it was the first time Disney had ever rejected a completed movie script for the Star Wars franchise that Lucasfilm had turned in for a greenlight.

"I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it."

— Steven Soderbergh, Director

Soderbergh echoed the disappointment, saying, "I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I'm just sorry the fans won't get to see it." Driver, meanwhile, expressed his mystification, noting their intention to be "judicial about how to spend money and be economical with it," making it less expensive than typical blockbusters but still in the character-driven spirit of earlier films.

Outraged Fans Take to the Skies in Protest for Ben Solo

News of the rejected project spread like wildfire, igniting a passionate response from the Star Wars community. Many fans were heartbroken, especially those who felt Kylo Ren's arc in The Rise of Skywalker was rushed or deserved more exploration. But some fans decided to do more than just tweet their frustrations.

On October 23, 2025, a group of dedicated fans commissioned a plane to fly a banner over Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. The message was clear and concise: "Save The Hunt for Ben Solo." Lianna Al Allaf, the fan who organized the aerial protest, told Collider, "I really hope this banner shows the decision makers at Disney that the fans really do want this. I hope this banner shows just how much the character of Ben Solo means to so many of us, and that the fans really do want this movie." It’s a powerful testament to the emotional connection many viewers have with Adam Driver’s complex portrayal of the character.

Exploring the Possibility of Ben Solo's Return Through the Force Dyad

Disney's main sticking point for rejecting the film was Ben Solo's apparent death at the end of The Rise of Skywalker. After a climactic battle, Ben uses his remaining Force energy to revive Rey, sharing a kiss before he fades away, becoming one with the Force. It was a clear, definitive end for the character.

However, many fans and even some critics argue that Star Wars has a long history of characters miraculously returning from seemingly certain doom. Just look at Palpatine himself, whose "somehow Palpatine returned" line in TROS became a meme due to its sudden and unexplained nature. Darth Maul was famously cut in half and survived, and other characters like Asajj Ventress and Ahsoka Tano (via the World Between Worlds) have also cheated death.

A leading theory for Ben Solo's potential return centers on the Force Dyad, the powerful and rare connection shared between Rey and Kylo Ren. This unique bond allowed them to communicate and even pass objects across vast distances. Ben used his life force to heal Rey, but some speculate that Rey, having grown stronger in the Force and now understanding the Dyad better, could potentially find a way to reciprocate, bringing Ben back in some form. This idea gained traction because Ben did technically resurrect Rey first.

Why Some Believe Ben Solo's Death Should Remain Canonical

While the prospect of more Ben Solo content excites many, others firmly believe his death should remain untouched. Critics of a potential resurrection argue that his sacrifice was a crucial, redemptive moment that concluded his arc perfectly. His choice to save Rey, giving his life in the process, mirrored and ultimately rectified his grandfather Anakin Skywalker's inability to save Padmé.

Undoing this final act, they contend, would cheapen its emotional impact and further complicate a Sequel Trilogy that already faced considerable backlash for its narrative inconsistencies. For these fans, Ben's death solidified his transformation from Kylo Ren, the Dark Side villain, back to Ben Solo, a redeemed Jedi who found peace. Bringing him back, they argue, would fundamentally misunderstand the significance of that sacrifice and the meaning of becoming one with the Force.

A History of Star Wars' Unmade Dreams: More Creative Pitches Rejected

The rejection of The Hunt for Ben Solo isn't an isolated incident in the modern Star Wars era. It seems to be part of a pattern where ambitious, director-driven projects are pitched but ultimately don't see the light of day. For example, there were reports that acclaimed director David Fincher (known for Fight Club and The Social Network) also had conversations with Lucasfilm about directing a movie after Episode IX. However, that project reportedly fell through because Fincher wanted final cut, a concession Lucasfilm couldn't offer.

Beyond these, fans have heard whispers of Guillermo del Toro's Jabba the Hutt movie, Rian Johnson's proposed trilogy (which is still technically on the books but has seen no movement), and a film from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, all of which ultimately fizzled out. This track record raises questions about the creative direction and approval process within Disney's Star Wars machine, especially given the "first time a finished script was rejected" revelation.

What's Next for Star Wars on the Big Screen?

Despite the setback for Ben Solo fans, the Star Wars cinematic universe is far from dormant. There are several confirmed films in various stages of development, keeping the galaxy's future bright:

• The Mandalorian and Grogu: A big-screen adventure spinning off from the hit Disney+ series, directed by Jon Favreau and starring Pedro Pascal. Expected May 22, 2026.
• Star Wars: Starfighter: This film is set to star Ryan Gosling and open in theaters on May 28, 2027. Shawn Levy is attached to direct.
• Rey's New Jedi Order Film: A film announced in 2023, which would see Daisy Ridley reprise her role as Rey to rebuild the Jedi Order. While rumors suggest it's currently on hold pending script approval, it remains a highly anticipated project.

While these upcoming films promise exciting new chapters, the lingering question of Ben Solo's fate continues to fuel debate and passion among fans. Whether Disney will ever revisit The Hunt for Ben Solo, or if fan pressure can sway the decision-makers, remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure: the Force is strong with the fans who want their redeemed hero back.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ben Solo and His Potential Return Q: What was the proposed title of Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh's Star Wars movie? A: The film was tentatively titled The Hunt for Ben Solo. Q: Why did Disney reject The Hunt for Ben Solo? A: Disney CEO Bob Iger and co-chairman Alan Bergman stated they "didn't see how Ben Solo was alive" after his death in The Rise of Skywalker. This was reportedly the first time Disney rejected a completed Star Wars movie script from Lucasfilm. Q: How do fans believe Ben Solo could return despite his death? A: The most common theory points to the Force Dyad between Rey and Ben. Since Ben used his life force to revive Rey, some fans believe Rey, having grown in power, could potentially reciprocate and bring Ben back. The franchise also has a history of character resurrections. Q: Are there any other confirmed Star Wars movies coming out soon? A: Yes, confirmed upcoming films include The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22, 2026) and Star Wars: Starfighter (May 28, 2027). A Rey-led film about rebuilding the Jedi Order is also in development.

Sources:

• Star Wars Fans Actually Flew a 'Save The Hunt for Ben Solo' Banner Over Disney Studios After Adam Driver Revealed Failed Sequel
• Adam Driver Pitched Kylo Ren 'Star Wars' Standalone Movie With Steven Soderbergh, but Disney Rejected Script: 'One of the Coolest' Projects 'I Had Ever Been a Part of'
• This isn’t the spin-off you’re looking for: why Disney was right to ditch Adam Driver’s Ben Solo movie
• The Force Dyad Can Easily Bring Ben Solo Back
• The Hunt for Ben Solo sounds awful
• ‘Star Wars’ Might Have Turned Down Another Big Director Too
• Steven Soderbergh Reveals His Unmade Ben Solo ‘Star Wars’ Movie Was The First Time Disney Rejected A Completed Script For The Franchise
• Adam Driver Pitched ‘Star Wars’ Spinoff ‘The Hunt For Ben Solo’ To Disney With Steven Soderbergh That Got Rejected
• We Almost Got a New 'Star Wars' Movie from Soderbergh and Adam Driver