Fans Unleash the Force to Save Scrapped Ben Solo Star Wars Movie

The galaxy's most passionate fans are making huge waves to bring Adam Driver's Ben Solo back to the big screen after Disney surprisingly rejected a completed script by Oscar-winner Steven Soderbergh.

TL;DR

• Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh developed "The Hunt for Ben Solo," a sequel focusing on Ben Solo's redemption after The Rise of Skywalker.
• Lucasfilm loved the idea, but Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman rejected it, citing Ben Solo's death in the previous film.
• Fans have launched a major campaign, flying banners over Disney Studios and purchasing a billboard in Times Square, demanding the project be reconsidered.

Alright, Star Wars fans, buckle up! If you thought the saga was done with Kylo Ren – or rather, the redeemed Ben Solo – think again. The internet has been buzzing ever since Adam Driver spilled the beans about a secret Star Wars project that would have brought his character, Ben Solo, back into the fold. The kicker? It was developed with none other than visionary director Steven Soderbergh, and it even had a finished script. But, in a move that has left many scratching their heads (and others outright furious), Disney reportedly shot it down.

Now, the fandom is doing what it does best: mobilizing. From literal sky-high banners to dazzling Times Square billboards, fans are making their voices heard, demanding that "The Hunt For Ben Solo" (that's the working title, by the way) sees the light of day. Let's dive into all the drama, the dreams, and the full-throttle fan efforts to bring back everyone's favorite conflicted Force-user.

Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh's Secret Star Wars Pitch Finally Revealed

The story broke last week (around October 21) when Adam Driver, the actor who brought Kylo Ren/Ben Solo to life, revealed in an interview with the Associated Press that he'd been working on a new Star Wars film. He'd been "talking about doing another one since 2021" and always said he'd be in if there was a "great director and a great story." Enter Steven Soderbergh, the acclaimed director behind films like Ocean's Eleven and Logan Lucky (which also starred Driver).

Together, Driver and Soderbergh cooked up an idea: a character-driven sequel to The Rise of Skywalker, tentatively titled "The Hunt for Ben Solo," which would explore Ben's redemption arc. The goal was something "handmade and character-driven," with Driver even comparing it to the beloved The Empire Strikes Back in its scope and focus. Rebecca Blunt helped outline the story, and Scott Z. Burns (known for Soderbergh's Contagion) was brought on to pen the script. And apparently, he was paid a hefty, substantial seven-figure sum for it – reportedly the most any screenwriter has ever received for a Lucasfilm script.

Adam Driver on the project's potential:

"I always was interested in doing another Star Wars. 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. It was called 'The Hunt for Ben Solo,' and it was really cool. But it is no more, so I can finally talk about it."

This wasn't some half-baked idea. Driver noted it was "one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of." Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, Vice President Cary Beck, and Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni were all reportedly "excited about the project" and "loved the idea." It seemed like everything was falling into place for this intriguing, potentially more adult-oriented Star Wars story, much in the spirit of the critically acclaimed Andor.

The Unexpected Reasons Behind Disney Executives Rejecting the Ben Solo Movie

Here's where the story takes a turn for the frustrating. Despite the enthusiasm from the creative team at Lucasfilm, the project hit a brick wall at the very top: Disney. Specifically, CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman reportedly rejected "The Hunt for Ben Solo." Their main reason, as Driver explained, was simple: "They didn't see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that."

This decision reportedly surprised and even upset Lucasfilm leadership. Soderbergh himself commented on Bluesky, confirming the project and noting it was a "first" for Lucasfilm to have a finished movie script rejected for a greenlight by Disney. He also quipped, "I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I'm just sorry the fans won't get to see it."

Beyond the official reason, some industry watchers and "conspiracy theorists" (as one report put it) speculate there might have been deeper, more "politically motivated" reasons for the cancellation. One report suggests the decision coincided with Iger's efforts to position Bergman as his successor, avoiding any potentially "dicey (and expensive) outstanding projects." It's also been pointed out that Soderbergh hasn't had a major box office hit since Magic Mike in 2012, which might have added to Disney's perceived risk, despite Driver's assertion that they wanted to be "judicial about how to spend money" and make it for "less than most."

Fans Take Flight and Hit Times Square to Campaign for Ben Solo's Cinematic Return

When the news broke about the scrapped project, fans wasted no time. Just two days after Driver's interview made headlines, a coordinated fan campaign ignited. On October 23, a plane was seen flying over Disney Studios in Burbank, California, trailing a banner that boldly read: "Save #TheHuntForBenSolo." Lianna Al Allaf, the fan who commissioned the banner, expressed her hope that "this banner shows the decision makers at Disney that the fans really do want this" and how much Ben Solo means to them.

But they didn't stop there! Two days later, on October 25, a massive billboard appeared in New York City's iconic Times Square, specifically at 1500 Broadway. The sign, styled in the classic Star Wars font, declared: "For Adam. No one's ever really gone. Hope lives. Ben is alive! #THBS." This powerful message referenced Luke Skywalker's famous line from The Last Jedi and the common fan sentiment that Ben Solo's story felt incomplete.

B.D. Neagle, the fan behind the Times Square billboard, told Collider, "I'm just a fan who thought Ben's story wasn't finished. I wanted to do what I could to support the fandom and everyone attached to The Hunt for Ben Solo." He further argued, "If they could bring back Palpatine with one line, there are plenty of ways Ben could return that already fit into Star Wars lore." These efforts, along with a surge of social media activity, clearly show that a significant part of the Star Wars community is not ready to let Ben Solo go.

Exploring How Ben Solo's Return Could Actually Work Within Star Wars Lore

Disney's main objection, that they "didn't see how Ben Solo was alive," struck many fans as a bit ironic given Star Wars' history of bringing characters back from seemingly insurmountable odds. Critics quickly pointed to Palpatine's controversial return in The Rise of Skywalker itself ("Somehow Palpatine returned") as evidence that Star Wars isn't always beholden to traditional death rules.

But beyond that, there's a strong in-universe argument for Ben Solo's potential return: the Force Dyad. Introduced in the sequel trilogy, the Force Dyad is an incredibly rare and powerful connection shared by Rey and Ben Solo. It allowed them to connect across vast distances, even passing objects to each other, and was coveted by the Sith for its immense power. At the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Ben Solo uses his life force to essentially resurrect Rey. Many argue that if Ben could resurrect Rey, Rey, who has undoubtedly grown in her Force abilities since, could potentially find a way to resurrect Ben. This theory suggests a path for his return that is not only plausible within established lore but also ties into the very core of his connection with Rey.

Historically, Star Wars has seen characters like Darth Maul survive being sliced in half, Asajj Ventress brought back by a ritual, and even Ahsoka Tano rescued via time travel through the World Between Worlds. While some deaths are impactful and "feel right" (like Kanan Jarrus's sacrifice in Rebels), fans argue Ben's sacrifice had specific narrative weight tied to the Dyad that could open the door for a return.

The Broader Debate: Is Bringing Ben Solo Back a Truly Good Idea for the Story?

While many fans are ecstatic about the prospect of seeing Ben Solo again, not everyone agrees that his return would be a narrative win. Some argue that his death in The Rise of Skywalker, where he sacrifices himself to save Rey and becomes one with the Force, provides a powerful and fitting end to his complex journey. For them, it completes his redemption arc, allowing him to succeed where his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, failed by choosing love and life over the Dark Side's temptations. Bringing him back, they contend, would undermine the significance of that sacrifice.

Others believe that his story still has threads left untied. They point to the depth of his character, the lingering questions about the Force Dyad, and the potential for new, more nuanced storytelling that a Soderbergh-helmed, character-driven film could offer. The emotional resonance of Ben Solo's redemption and his unique position as the descendant of both Anakin Skywalker and Han Solo/Leia Organa means his story holds significant weight for many viewers.

This isn't the first time the Star Wars fanbase has passionately campaigned for changes or continuations. In 2017, a petition to remake The Last Jedi gained traction (though the organizer later regretted it), and the #MakeSolo2Happen campaign went viral in 2020. These past efforts show the dedication of the fandom, but also the mixed success rates of such movements influencing corporate decisions.

Beyond the Big Screen: Ben Solo's Curious Absence from Star Wars Merchandise Shelves

The conversation around "The Hunt for Ben Solo" also sheds light on another long-standing fan frustration: the curious lack of Ben Solo merchandise. While Star Wars is famous for churning out action figures for virtually every character imaginable, a proper Ben Solo action figure from Hasbro (in their popular Vintage Collection or Black Series lines) is notably absent. You can find plenty of Kylo Ren figures, sure, but the redeemed Ben Solo in his distinct post-Dark Side appearance? Not so much, beyond a Funko Pop.

This seems to be part of a broader trend where Hasbro has largely "forsaken" the Sequel Trilogy in its main action figure lines since 2021, with only a few reissues or delayed releases for even major characters like Finn. Fans argue that a character with Ben Solo's legacy – son of Han and Leia, nephew of Luke, grandson of Anakin, and one half of a Force Dyad – absolutely deserves a place on the toy shelf. It's yet another area where some feel the character hasn't received the full recognition or continuation he deserves.

What's Next for "The Hunt for Ben Solo" and the Ongoing Fan Movement?

As of now, Disney and Lucasfilm have remained silent on the escalating fan campaign. While the current efforts are undeniably impressive and show immense passion, whether they will actually sway the top executives to reverse their decision remains to be seen. Steven Soderbergh and Adam Driver both seem to consider the project officially dead, given their willingness to discuss it openly.

However, the Star Wars universe is vast and constantly expanding. New films and series are always in development, and the power of fan sentiment has influenced creative decisions in Hollywood before. For now, "The Hunt for Ben Solo" joins the ranks of intriguing "what if" projects, but with the Force of fandom behind it, perhaps "no one's ever really gone" truly applies to even the most scrapped ideas in a galaxy far, far away.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Hunt for Ben Solo What was "The Hunt for Ben Solo" supposed to be about? It was a proposed Star Wars sequel movie, set after The Rise of Skywalker, that would have focused on Ben Solo's (formerly Kylo Ren) journey of redemption and explored how he could return after his death in the previous film. It was envisioned as a more character-driven story. Who was involved in developing this scrapped Star Wars project? Adam Driver, who played Ben Solo/Kylo Ren, pitched the idea and co-developed the story with Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh. Rebecca Blunt also helped with the story outline, and Scott Z. Burns wrote the screenplay. Lucasfilm leadership, including Kathleen Kennedy, initially supported the project. Why did Disney ultimately reject "The Hunt for Ben Solo"? According to Adam Driver, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman rejected the project because they "didn't see how Ben Solo was alive" after his death in The Rise of Skywalker. Speculation also suggests internal corporate politics played a role in the decision. How are fans campaigning to save "The Hunt for Ben Solo"? Fans have launched a high-profile campaign, including flying a banner plane over Disney Studios in California and purchasing a large billboard in Times Square, New York City, to draw attention to their desire for the film. Social media hashtags like #TheHuntForBenSolo and #THBS are also being used.