Disney Said No: Inside the Canceled 'The Hunt for Ben Solo' Star Wars Film

Talk about a disturbance in the Force! It turns out Adam Driver and director Steven Soderbergh had a completed script for a Ben Solo Star Wars movie that Disney surprisingly shot down. Fans are now making their voices heard, literally!

TL;DR: Quick Bites on the Ben Solo Film That Almost Was

• Adam Driver revealed he was developing a Ben Solo movie, "The Hunt for Ben Solo," with director Steven Soderbergh.
• Lucasfilm loved the script, but Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman rejected it because they "didn't see how Ben Solo was alive."
• Soderbergh confirmed this was the first time Disney ever rejected a completed Lucasfilm script, according to Kathleen Kennedy.
• Fans are actively campaigning for the film, even flying a "Save #TheHuntForBenSolo" banner over Disney Studios.

A Shocking Revelation from Adam Driver Himself

Earlier this week, the Star Wars galaxy was set ablaze with a bombshell: Adam Driver, who famously played the conflicted Kylo Ren, aka Ben Solo, dropped the news that he'd been secretly working on a new film focused on his character. Speaking to the Associated Press, Driver spilled the beans on a project titled "The Hunt for Ben Solo," a post-Rise of Skywalker story that aimed to delve into the villain-turned-hero's journey.

This wasn't just a casual chat either. Driver revealed that he and acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh (you know, the genius behind Movies like Ocean's Eleven) had spent two years quietly developing this idea. Imagine that combination – Soderbergh's unique style applied to the vastness of the Star Wars universe, with Driver reprising one of his most iconic roles! Driver even called it "one of the coolest [expletive] scripts I had ever been a part of," praising its "handmade and character-driven" approach, drawing comparisons to The Empire Strikes Back.

Steven Soderbergh Confirms Disney's Unprecedented Rejection

Following Driver's revelation, Steven Soderbergh took to BlueSky to add his two cents, confirming the unfortunate fate of "The Hunt for Ben Solo." He admitted he "did not enjoy lying about the existence" of the project, but stressed that it "really did need to remain a secret…until now!"

But here's where it gets truly wild: Soderbergh shared an incredible detail that highlights the rarity of this rejection. He stated, "Also, in the aftermath of the HFBS situation, I asked Kathy Kennedy if LFL had ever turned in a finished movie script for greenlight to Disney and had it rejected. She said no, this was a first." That's right – according to Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, this marks the very first time Disney has ever turned down a completed Star Wars movie script presented by Lucasfilm!

The script for "The Hunt for Ben Solo" was reportedly penned by Scott Z. Burns, with Rebecca Blunt also credited in some reports, before it reached the higher-ups at Disney.

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

— Steven Soderbergh, on the canceled Ben Solo film

Why Disney Said "No" to the Return of Ben Solo

So, why did Disney, after Lucasfilm seemingly loved the idea, give this promising project the axe? Driver explained the crucial sticking point: "We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it. 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."

Disney executives Bob Iger (CEO) and Alan Bergman (Chairman of Walt Disney Studios) couldn't wrap their heads around the logistics of bringing Ben Solo back to life after his apparent death and Force-ghost transformation at the end of 2019's The Rise of Skywalker. While Kylo Ren had a redemption arc, sacrificing himself to save Rey, his physical form vanished, suggesting he became one with the Force.

It's a decision that has sparked fierce debate among fans and critics alike. Some argue that his death was a powerful, necessary conclusion to his character arc, echoing his grandfather Anakin Skywalker's journey. Undoing it, they say, would cheapen his sacrifice and the integrity of the film.

The Force Dyad: A Clear Path for Ben Solo's Return?

However, many fans and analysts point out that the Star Wars universe has a long history of characters returning from seemingly definitive deaths. We've seen Palpatine "somehow" return, Darth Maul famously survived being sliced in half, and characters like Ahsoka Tano and Asajj Ventress have found their way back through various means like time travel or ancient rituals. In this context, Disney's hesitation over Ben Solo's resurrection feels, to some, like a missed opportunity.

Crucially, the sequel trilogy itself introduced a concept that could easily facilitate Ben Solo's return: the Force Dyad. Rey and Kylo Ren shared an incredibly powerful, unique bond that allowed them to connect across vast distances, even passing objects to each other. At the climax of The Rise of Skywalker, Ben Solo used his remaining life energy to resurrect Rey after she died defeating Palpatine.

As one analysis suggests, "It would be all too easy for Star Wars to reveal that the Force Dyad gave Rey the power to resurrect Ben." Given Rey's growing power and the mysterious nature of the Dyad (which Palpatine himself coveted for its immense power), finding a way for her to bring Ben back, perhaps without the fatal cost he paid, seems well within the established lore. It’s a compelling argument that Disney perhaps overlooked, or chose to ignore, in favor of a clean break.

Fans Take to the Skies: A Campaign to "Save The Hunt for Ben Solo"

When news of the canceled film broke, the internet predictably exploded. But the fan reaction didn't stop at online discussions. On October 23, 2025, a dedicated group of Star Wars fanatics took their campaign to the next level: they paid for a plane to fly over Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, towing a banner that read "SAVE #THEHUNTFORBENSOLO."

Lianna Al Allaf, the fan who organized the ambitious stunt, shared her motivation: "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." This bold move clearly demonstrates the passion and dedication within the fanbase for Ben Solo's character and the potential of a Soderbergh-directed story.

It's a move reminiscent of other fan-led campaigns that have seen success, showing that sometimes, the audience really does have the power to influence studio decisions. Whether this particular effort will sway Iger and Bergman remains to be seen, but it certainly made headlines.

The Wider Impact: Star Wars' Future and a Missing Action Figure

The rejection of "The Hunt for Ben Solo" highlights Disney's current strategy for the Star Wars universe, which appears to be focused on forging new paths. Upcoming projects include the big-screen return of The Mandalorian and Grogu and the highly anticipated Star Wars: New Jedi Order, which will see Daisy Ridley reprise her role as Rey attempting to restore the Jedi Order. While these projects offer exciting new chapters, the cancellation of Ben Solo's story leaves a void for many who felt his arc was unfinished or deserved more exploration.

Adding to the fan frustration is a seemingly smaller, but equally telling, issue: the lack of a proper Ben Solo action figure. Despite being a major character with a significant redemption arc, Hasbro, the primary manufacturer of Star Wars toys, has yet to release a dedicated Ben Solo figure in their popular Vintage Collection or Black Series. While Kylo Ren figures are plentiful, the redeemed Ben Solo in his final moments, standing alongside his family's legacy, remains unrepresented on toy shelves, save for a Funko Pop. This absence further emphasizes how Ben Solo's "afterlife" has been largely overlooked, both on screen and in merchandise.

Steven Soderbergh himself had a philosophical take, stating, "I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it." This sentiment resonates deeply with fans who are now left to wonder what a character-driven, Soderbergh-helmed Star Wars film could have brought to the saga, especially one focused on such a complex and beloved character.

Could Ben Solo Still Make a Comeback?

Despite Disney's firm "no," the fan outcry and the compelling arguments for Ben Solo's potential return using established Force lore (like the Dyad) keep the hope alive for many. While he won't be getting "The Hunt for Ben Solo," the door is arguably never fully closed in a universe where the Force works in mysterious ways, and characters like Palpatine and Maul can defy death itself.

For now, fans will continue to speculate, campaign, and imagine "the coolest script" that almost was. "The Hunt for Ben Solo" may be a canceled project, but the conversation around Ben Solo's legacy and future in Star Wars is far from over.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Hunt for Ben Solo Why was "The Hunt for Ben Solo" canceled? Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman rejected the film, stating they "didn't see how Ben Solo was alive" after his death in The Rise of Skywalker, despite Lucasfilm's enthusiasm for the script. Who was involved in creating the unmade film? Adam Driver was set to reprise his role as Ben Solo, with Steven Soderbergh slated to direct. The script was reportedly written by Scott Z. Burns, with Rebecca Blunt also mentioned as a co-writer. Could Ben Solo return in future Star Wars projects? While Disney rejected this specific film, many fans argue that the Force Dyad, introduced in the sequel trilogy, could provide a lore-consistent way for Ben Solo to return, given Rey's power and his own previous act of resurrection. What was the fan reaction to the cancellation? Fan reaction has been overwhelmingly passionate, with many expressing disappointment and actively campaigning for the film. This included flying a "Save #TheHuntForBenSolo" banner over Disney Studios in Burbank. Sources

• Associated Press (via various news outlets)
• Steven Soderbergh's BlueSky Posts
• Collider
• ScreenRant
• Polygon
• io9
• Deadline
• CinemaBlend