Adam Driver's Secret Kylo Ren Sequel: The Hunt for Ben Solo Was Rejected

Adam Driver just dropped a galactic bombshell: he and acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh had a "really cool" Star Wars sequel pitch for Ben Solo, titled The Hunt for Ben Solo, but Disney ultimately shut it down despite Lucasfilm's enthusiasm.

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on the Lost Ben Solo Film

• Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh spent two years developing a Star Wars sequel called The Hunt for Ben Solo, set after The Rise of Skywalker.
• Lucasfilm executives, including Kathleen Kennedy, loved the "handmade and character-driven" concept, which Driver compared to The Empire Strikes Back.
• Despite Lucasfilm's approval, Disney's Bob Iger and Alan Bergman rejected the script, stating they "didn't see how Ben Solo was alive" after his sacrifice in Episode IX.

A Shocking Revelation from a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Hold onto your lightsabers, Star Wars fans, because Adam Driver just spilled some unexpected tea that’s got the whole galaxy buzzing! In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Driver, who famously brought the complex character of Kylo Ren (aka Ben Solo) to life in the sequel trilogy, revealed a secret project that would have seen his character return. And get this: he was working with none other than Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh!

The proposed film, tentatively titled The Hunt for Ben Solo, was much more than just a fleeting idea. Driver revealed that he and Soderbergh had been developing this concept for a full two years, resulting in what Driver himself called “one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of.” Imagine that: a fresh, character-driven Star Wars story penned by a master filmmaker, with the original star ready to dive back in. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, buckle up, because the story of why it won't be happening is just as wild as the pitch itself.

The Unexpected Collaboration Behind a Lost Star Wars Story

Adam Driver’s journey with Ben Solo seemed complete after The Rise of Skywalker, where the character found redemption and made the ultimate sacrifice. But Driver clearly felt there was "unfinished business" for Ben, and as early as 2021, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy had reportedly reached out to him about potentially doing more. Driver's condition was clear: he'd only return "with a great director and a great story."

Enter Steven Soderbergh, the visionary behind classics like Ocean's Eleven, Contagion, and Traffic. Driver had previously collaborated with Soderbergh on the 2017 heist film Logan Lucky, so the two already had a working relationship. Together, with Soderbergh’s wife, screenwriter Rebecca Blunt (a pseudonym for Jules Asner), they began to outline the story. Soon after, acclaimed screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, known for his work on Soderbergh’s Contagion, was brought in to pen the script. This wasn’t just a casual chat; this was a serious creative endeavor with some major talent attached.

The vision for The Hunt for Ben Solo was ambitious, yet grounded. Driver described it as "handmade and character-driven," intending to evoke the spirit of what he considers the "standard" for Star Wars films: The Empire Strikes Back. This suggests a more intimate, perhaps grittier, approach compared to the sprawling, often criticized sequel trilogy. They even planned for it to be a more economical production, aiming to "do it for less than most" big-budget Star Wars Movies, proving that passion and compelling storytelling were at the forefront of their minds, not just massive spectacle.

"I always was interested in doing another Star Wars. I had been talking about doing another one since 2021. Kathleen [Kennedy] had reached out. I always said: 'With a great director and a great story, I’d be there in a second.' I loved that character and loved playing him."

— Adam Driver to The Associated Press

When Lucasfilm Said "Yes!" But Disney Said "No..."

So, Driver, Soderbergh, Blunt, and Burns had this incredible script, a vision for a unique Star Wars film, and a star ready to reprise his iconic role. They took their pitch to Lucasfilm’s top brass: Kathleen Kennedy, Vice President Cary Beck, and Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni. The response? Overwhelmingly positive! Driver recalled that Lucasfilm "loved the idea" and "totally understood our angle and why we were doing it." It sounded like everything was aligned for this project to become a reality.

However, the journey of The Hunt for Ben Solo hit a brick wall when it reached the highest echelons of The Walt Disney Company. When the script was presented to Disney CEO Bob Iger and co-chairman Alan Bergman, they gave it a resounding "no." The reason? According to Driver, "They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that."

This single, seemingly simple reason proved to be the project's undoing. For many fans and even some critics, this reasoning feels particularly ironic, given the franchise's long history of bringing characters back from seemingly permanent ends. Soderbergh himself expressed regret, stating, "I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it." It’s a sad end to what could have been a truly groundbreaking addition to the Star Wars canon.

The Irony of Death in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Disney’s stated reason for rejecting The Hunt for Ben Solo – the difficulty in explaining Ben’s return from the dead – has raised more than a few eyebrows among the devoted Star Wars fanbase. After all, death in the Star Wars universe often seems to be more of a suggestion than a finality. Let’s take a quick stroll down memory lane, shall we?

• Emperor Palpatine: Famously thrown down a reactor shaft and supposedly disintegrated in Return of the Jedi, only to "somehow" return in The Rise of Skywalker, a plot point that even became a widely memed phrase.
• Darth Maul: Sliced clean in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Phantom Menace, yet he crawled out of that pit and returned in The Clone Wars and Rebels (and even had a cameo in Solo: A Star Wars Story) before his eventual, more permanent demise.
• Asajj Ventress: A powerful Dark Side user who faced death multiple times, even being resurrected by a Nightsister ritual in the comics and animated series.
• Ahsoka Tano: Seemingly killed by Darth Vader in Rebels, only to be saved via time travel through the mysterious World Between Worlds by Ezra Bridger.

Given these precedents, a character's "death" (especially one where the body vanishes, implying becoming one with the Force) has often been a launching point for creative resurrections or ethereal returns. The idea that Disney executives couldn't fathom a way to bring Ben Solo back, in a franchise renowned for bending the rules of mortality, strikes many as a baffling, even "pedantic," decision, especially considering the project's strong creative backing and unique vision.

Ben Solo's Sacrifice: A Defining Moment in the Skywalker Saga

The final moments of Ben Solo in The Rise of Skywalker were undeniably impactful. After finally turning away from the Dark Side and embracing his true identity, Ben used his remaining life energy to save Rey, sharing a poignant kiss before fading away, becoming one with the Force. This sacrifice was a powerful culmination of his arc, mirroring and inverting his grandfather Anakin Skywalker's tragic fall.

Anakin succumbed to the Dark Side out of a desperate, selfish desire to save Padmé, ultimately failing and becoming Darth Vader. Ben, conversely, rejected the attachment of his parents (Han Solo and Leia Organa) on his dark path but ultimately chose selflessness, giving his life to save Rey. His body disappearing symbolized his redemption, marking him as a true Jedi, joining the ranks of Luke, Leia, and Anakin as Force spirits.

For many fans and critics, this ending was perfect for Ben Solo – a complete redemption arc that honored his complex journey. The prospect of undoing such a significant moment, even for a "cool" script by Soderbergh, does raise narrative questions. Could The Hunt for Ben Solo have found a compelling, respectful way to bring him back, perhaps not physically, but spiritually or through a unique Force manifestation? It seems we'll never know, but the debate about the sanctity of character deaths in Star Wars continues.

What’s on the Horizon for the Star Wars Cinematic Universe?

While The Hunt for Ben Solo won't be gracing our screens, Lucasfilm and Disney aren't slowing down their Star Wars plans. The cinematic universe has been somewhat quiet since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, with much of the focus shifting to acclaimed Disney+ series like The Mandalorian and Andor. However, several new films are in various stages of development:

• The Mandalorian and Grogu: This theatrical continuation of the beloved Disney+ series, starring Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin, is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau is directing.
• Star Wars: Starfighter: Scheduled for May 28, 2027, this film is rumored to star Ryan Gosling and is expected to explore new corners of the galaxy.
• Daisy Ridley's Rey Sequel: Set roughly 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, this film will see Rey Skywalker return to rebuild the Jedi Order. Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is slated to direct.
• James Mangold's Untitled Film: Few details are known, but this project is also in the pipeline.

It’s clear that Disney is working to refocus its cinematic Star Wars efforts, moving beyond the sequel trilogy's immediate aftermath (aside from Rey's film). These new projects aim to diversify the storytelling, though some critics lament the perceived risk-averse approach, especially when contrasted with the bold vision proposed by Driver and Soderbergh. Even George Lucas himself has previously commented that Disney "got a lot wrong" with the sequel trilogy, feeling that "a lot of the ideas that were in [the original] sort of got lost."

Despite the various challenges and fan debates, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy remains committed to the franchise, recently shutting down rumors of her retirement, declaring, "I will never retire from movies. I will die making movies." So, while Ben Solo's cinematic future might be closed for now, the galaxy far, far away continues to expand.

The Regret of a Vision Unseen

The news of The Hunt for Ben Solo being shelved is a stark reminder of the intricate and often frustrating dance between creative vision and corporate decisions. Adam Driver’s passion for the character and the project was palpable, and Steven Soderbergh’s involvement promised a unique, artisanal take on the sprawling saga. Driver described Soderbergh as "one of my favorite directors of all time. He lives his code, lives his ethics, doesn’t compromise." This speaks volumes about the quality and integrity they aimed for.

Ultimately, the gatekeepers at Disney chose a different path, prioritizing a literal interpretation of a character's demise over a potential narrative innovation from a celebrated team. For now, The Hunt for Ben Solo will remain a tantalizing "what if" in the annals of Star Wars history, a film that existed brilliantly in the minds of its creators but was never destined to see the light of hyperspace.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Canceled Ben Solo Movie

What was "The Hunt for Ben Solo" about?

The Hunt for Ben Solo was planned as a direct sequel to 2019's The Rise of Skywalker. While specific plot details were kept under wraps, Adam Driver indicated it would have explored Ben Solo's "unfinished business" and journey for redemption after his apparent death and becoming one with the Force. It was described as a "handmade and character-driven" film, inspired by the style of The Empire Strikes Back.

Why did Disney reject the Ben Solo movie?

Despite Lucasfilm executives, including Kathleen Kennedy, loving the script and understanding its creative direction, Disney CEO Bob Iger and co-chairman Alan Bergman ultimately rejected the project. Their primary reason was that "they didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive" after his death in The Rise of Skywalker, making a direct sequel problematic in their eyes.

Will Adam Driver ever return as Kylo Ren/Ben Solo in Star Wars?

Following Disney's rejection of The Hunt for Ben Solo, Adam Driver explicitly stated that the project "is no more," implying his time as the character is likely over. While Daisy Ridley is set to return as Rey in a future Star Wars film, there are currently no known plans for Driver to reprise his role as Ben Solo.

What Star Wars movies are currently planned for release?

As of late 2025, several Star Wars films are in various stages of development. The next confirmed theatrical release is The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22, 2026. This will be followed by Star Wars: Starfighter, rumored to star Ryan Gosling, on May 28, 2027. Additionally, a sequel starring Daisy Ridley as Rey, set to rebuild the Jedi Order, and an untitled film from James Mangold are in the pipeline.

Sources

• The Associated Press Interview (cited across multiple articles)
• Polygon
• Deadline Hollywood
• The Hollywood Reporter
• Forbes
• io9
• The Film Stage
• Looper.com