The Hunt for Ben Solo: The Star Wars Movie Disney Said No To

Hold onto your lightsabers! Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh pitched a Ben Solo movie that Lucasfilm loved, but Disney executives surprisingly gave it the axe, sparking a galaxy-wide debate among fans.

TL;DR

Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh developed "The Hunt for Ben Solo," a film set after The Rise of Skywalker, featuring Driver's character.
Lucasfilm was on board, but Disney CEOs Bob Iger and Alan Bergman rejected the completed script, questioning how Ben Solo could be alive.
This marks the first time Disney has rejected a finished Star Wars script, and fans are now passionately campaigning for the project to be revived.

Well, this is one of those "what if" moments that gets the whole Star Wars fandom buzzing! Imagine a new film following everyone's favorite conflicted Force-user, Ben Solo (aka Kylo Ren), after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. Sounds pretty cool, right? Especially when you hear that none other than Adam Driver himself was deeply involved, working with acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh.

But here's the twist: it almost happened. A complete script was written, Lucasfilm was reportedly thrilled, but Disney ultimately decided, "Nope, not gonna happen." This news has lit up the internet like a Force lightning storm, leaving fans wondering what could have been and why such a promising project got shut down.

The Unexpected Collaboration Behind a Lost Star Wars Story

It turns out that Adam Driver, who played the complex and ultimately redeemed Ben Solo, had been keen on exploring the character further since 2021. He shared with the Associated Press that he always told Kathleen Kennedy (Lucasfilm President) he'd be there "with a great director and a great story." Enter Steven Soderbergh, the visionary filmmaker behind hits like Ocean's Eleven and Contagion. Together, they cooked up something special.

Soderbergh and Driver initially roughed out the story for this sequel, which was tentatively titled "The Hunt for Ben Solo." They brought in Scott Z. Burns, known for his work on Soderbergh's Logan Lucky, to pen the script. Driver described the project as "handmade and character-driven," even comparing its spirit to the legendary The Empire Strikes Back – talk about setting high expectations! He called it "one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of."

A Shocking Rejection: The First of Its Kind for a Completed Star Wars Script

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The duo, along with the completed script, presented their vision to Lucasfilm. Driver explicitly stated, "They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it." Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Cary Beck were reportedly all on board. This sounds like a dream team with a dream project getting full support from the creative heart of Star Wars.

However, when the project moved up the corporate ladder to Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, things hit a snag. Driver revealed, "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."

Adding another layer of significance to this rejection, Steven Soderbergh confirmed a striking detail: this was the very first time Disney had ever turned down a completed movie script for the Star Wars franchise. Let that sink in for a moment. With all the projects, proposals, and ideas that must come through those doors, "The Hunt for Ben Solo" was unique in getting so far only to be ultimately denied.

"She said no, this was a first."

— Steven Soderbergh, on Kathleen Kennedy confirming Disney had never rejected a completed Star Wars script before.

The "How is Ben Solo Alive?" Conundrum: A Canon Clash?

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Disney's reason for passing on the film boils down to Ben Solo's fate at the end of 2019's The Rise of Skywalker. If you recall, after a dramatic redemption arc, Ben sacrificed his life force to revive Rey, sharing a kiss before he faded away, becoming one with the Force just like his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker.

For Disney executives, this seemed pretty definitive. How do you bring back a character who literally disappeared? For many fans and critics, Ben Solo's death was a powerful, poignant conclusion to his arc. It completed his redemption, mirroring Anakin's sacrifice to save Luke. Undoing it, some argue, would cheapen that impact and potentially muddle the clear "Force Ghost" destiny implied by his vanishing body.

A recent opinion piece even stated that Ben Solo's death was "significant because of its connection to his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, and his inability to save the people he loves." Bringing him back, they contend, "completely defeats the point of that scene." It's a valid point, especially considering the mixed reactions to other character resurrections in the franchise.

Star Wars and the Art of the Comeback: Is Death Ever Permanent?

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Ah, but this is Star Wars, where "death" can sometimes be more of a suggestion than a hard rule! The fandom is quick to point out that the galaxy far, far away has a rich (and sometimes controversial) history of characters returning from seemingly impossible situations. Let's not forget:

Emperor Palpatine: "Somehow, Palpatine returned" became a meme itself, after his surprising reappearance in The Rise of Skywalker following his apparent demise in Return of the Jedi.
Darth Maul: Famously cut in half in The Phantom Menace, only to reappear later in The Clone Wars and Rebels, fueled by pure hatred and mechanical legs.
Asajj Ventress: Though not a full resurrection, she was brought back from near-death through a Nightsister ritual.
Ahsoka Tano: Saved from a fatal duel with Darth Vader by Ezra Bridger via time travel through the World Between Worlds in Rebels.

Given these precedents, many fans argue that finding a way to bring Ben Solo back isn't really the impossible task Disney execs might believe it to be. In fact, some sources suggest a very clear path: the Force Dyad.

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

The sequel trilogy introduced the concept of the Force Dyad between Rey and Ben Solo – a rare, powerful connection that made them "two-that-are-one" in the Force. They could communicate, sense each other, and even pass objects across vast distances. Crucially, at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Ben uses his life force to heal Rey after she's seemingly killed by Palpatine. In essence, he resurrected her.

Could the Dyad work both ways? Many fans believe that with Rey's growing power and understanding of the Force, she could absolutely find a way to bring Ben back. After all, the Dyad's full capabilities were never truly explored in-depth on screen. Palpatine himself coveted this power, hinting at its immense potential. This narrative avenue offers a canon-friendly explanation that could address Disney's concerns without completely negating his sacrifice, perhaps framing it as a unique aspect of their bond rather than a simple reversal of death.

What We Might Have Missed: A "Handmade and Character-Driven" Star Wars

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Adam Driver's comments about the film being "handmade and character-driven," inspired by The Empire Strikes Back, really hint at a specific kind of Star Wars movie we don't always get. Soderbergh is known for his unique directorial style, often opting for more grounded, character-focused storytelling even within genre films. This suggests that "The Hunt for Ben Solo" might have been a deeper, more intimate exploration of Ben's struggle and redemption, rather than a galaxy-spanning spectacle.

Soderbergh himself lamented, "I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I'm just sorry the fans won't get to see it." This sentiment, coupled with Driver's enthusiasm, paints a picture of a truly compelling, artistically driven Star Wars story that could have offered a fresh perspective on the sequel era's most complex character.

The Fandom Strikes Back: A Sky-High Campaign for Ben Solo

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When the news broke about the rejected script, the Star Wars fandom, predictably, went wild. Social media exploded with discussions, debates, and a shared sense of disappointment. But some fans decided to take their passion to new heights – literally.

Reports emerged that a fan named Lianna Al Allaf organized a plane to fly over Disney headquarters with a banner trailing behind it, boldly proclaiming: "Save #TheHuntForBenSolo." This clear, direct message to Disney's top brass, including Bob Iger, aimed to show "how much the character of Ben Solo means to so many of us, and that the fans really do want this movie."

This grassroots campaign highlights the deep connection many viewers feel to Ben Solo's journey and their desire to see his story continue, or at least conclude differently. It's a testament to the character's impact and the power of dedicated fandom.

The Broader Star Wars Horizon: What's Next for the Big Screen?

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While "The Hunt for Ben Solo" might be a lost dream for now, Star Wars isn't slowing down on the big screen. Lucasfilm has several projects in various stages, showing their commitment to bringing the saga back to theaters after a stint primarily focusing on Disney+ series.

The Mandalorian and Grogu: This highly anticipated film, a spin-off of the beloved Disney+ series, is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau is directing.
Star Wars: Starfighter: Slated for May 28, 2027, this film is rumored to star Ryan Gosling. Details are still scarce, but it's another big-name project in the pipeline.
Rey's New Jedi Order Film: Announced in 2023, this movie would see Daisy Ridley return as Rey to establish a new Jedi Order. However, unconfirmed rumors suggest it might be on hold pending script approval.
Other Projects: There's also a film about the First Jedi and Dave Filoni's "Mando-verse" crossover movie, which are still in development.
Another Trilogy? Simon Kinberg is reportedly developing a new trilogy, though his past work (Dark Phoenix, Fantastic Four) has drawn mixed reactions from fans.

Adding to the list of "what ifs," there was also a report that acclaimed director David Fincher (known for Fight Club, Zodiac) had "conversations with Lucasfilm about directing a movie after Episode IX." However, his project apparently stalled because he wanted final cut approval, which Lucasfilm couldn't offer. While we don't know which character his film would have focused on, it highlights a pattern of ambitious directorial visions clashing with studio control.

Will We Ever See "The Hunt for Ben Solo"?

The rejection of "The Hunt for Ben Solo" is a fascinating moment in Star Wars history. It showcases the creative ambition of its stars and directors colliding with the corporate decisions of its parent company. While Disney's reasoning centers on canonical consistency regarding Ben Solo's death, many fans and even some critics argue there are plenty of in-universe ways to navigate such a return.

For now, Steven Soderbergh's movie will remain a compelling thought experiment, living only "in his head" and the dreams of countless fans. But with a passionate fandom launching sky-high campaigns and a history of character resurrections, one can't help but wonder: could Disney ever be persuaded to reconsider and "Save #TheHuntForBenSolo"? Only time, and perhaps the Force, will tell.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About The Hunt for Ben Solo Q1: What was "The Hunt for Ben Solo" about? It was planned as a direct sequel to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, focusing on Adam Driver's character, Ben Solo (Kylo Ren), exploring his story after his apparent death and redemption. Q2: Who was involved in making this movie? Adam Driver was a key figure in pitching and developing the idea, with Steven Soderbergh attached to direct. Scott Z. Burns wrote the completed script, and Rebecca Blunt also helped rough out the story. Q3: Why did Disney reject the film? Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman reportedly rejected the script because they "didn't see how Ben Solo was alive" after his death in The Rise of Skywalker, where he faded into the Force. Q4: Is there any chance "The Hunt for Ben Solo" could still be made? Officially, Disney shut down the project. However, the strong fan reaction, including a banner flown over Disney HQ, shows significant public interest. While unlikely to reverse course easily, fan campaigns can sometimes influence studios. Sources