Adam Driver's Ben Solo Star Wars Movie: The Hunt for a Rejected Sequel

Get ready, Star Wars fans, because Adam Driver just dropped a bombshell that’s got the whole galaxy buzzing. It turns out a Ben Solo-centric sequel, which had legendary director Steven Soderbergh attached and Lucasfilm's full blessing, was shot down by Disney execs. And the reason? Well, it's raising a lot of eyebrows across the fandom.

TL;DR

Adam Driver, alongside Steven Soderbergh and writer Scott Z. Burns, developed a sequel titled The Hunt for Ben Solo, exploring his post-Rise of Skywalker journey.
Lucasfilm, including Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni, was totally on board with the "handmade, character-driven" concept.
Disney executives, specifically Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, ultimately rejected the project, citing that they "didn't see how Ben Solo was alive" after his sacrifice.

A Redemption Arc That Felt Unfinished for Adam Driver

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If you've followed the journey of Ben Solo, the son of Han and Leia who fell to the dark side as Kylo Ren before finding a glimmer of light, you know his story in the sequel trilogy felt... complex. After sacrificing himself to save Rey in The Rise of Skywalker, leaving fans with a bittersweet sense of closure (or lack thereof, depending on who you ask), it turns out his story almost continued.

Adam Driver, the brilliant actor behind the conflicted character, recently revealed in an interview with The Associated Press that he felt there was "unfinished business" for Ben Solo. Driver, who loved playing the character, expressed his long-standing interest in revisiting the role. He'd been talking about another Star Wars project since 2021, and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy herself had reached out. His condition was simple: "With a great director and a great story, I’d be there in a second."

Crafting a "Cool" and Character-Driven Star Wars Story

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So, Driver took matters into his own hands and approached none other than Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh. Yes, the visionary filmmaker behind hits like Ocean's Eleven and Contagion! Together with Rebecca Blunt, Soderbergh roughed out a story concept, which then led to acclaimed screenwriter Scott Z. Burns (known for Soderbergh's Contagion and The Bourne Ultimatum) penning the script. The proposed title? The Hunt for Ben Solo.

Driver described the project as "handmade and character-driven," even comparing it to the iconic 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back, which he considers the "standard" for what a Star Wars movie should be. Imagine that: a more intimate, focused exploration of Ben Solo's journey, potentially delving into themes of redemption, identity, and the lingering effects of the Force after the events of the main saga. This sounds like a dream for many fans who felt Ben's arc was cut short.

"I always was interested in doing another Star Wars. I had been talking about doing another one since 2021. Kathleen [Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm] 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, via The Associated Press

Lucasfilm Loved It, But Disney Said No to Ben Solo's Return

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Here’s where it gets truly frustrating for fans. Driver, Soderbergh, and Burns presented their meticulously developed script to the powers-that-be at Lucasfilm, including Kathleen Kennedy, Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni, and Carrie Beck. And guess what? They "loved the idea." They "totally understood our angle and why we were doing it," Driver recalled. It seemed like everything was falling into place for a truly unique Star Wars cinematic experience.

But then came the corporate hurdle. When the pitch reached Disney leadership, specifically CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment Co-chairman Alan Bergman, it was met with a blunt rejection. Driver recounted their reasoning: "They didn't see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that."

Soderbergh echoed the sentiment, stating, "I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it." Driver himself called it "one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of," adding that since it's "no more, so I can finally talk about it."

The Great Star Wars Resurrection Debate: A Tale of Double Standards?

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Disney's rationale for shutting down The Hunt for Ben Solo has ignited a firestorm among the Star Wars faithful. The idea that Ben Solo's death in The Rise of Skywalker is an insurmountable obstacle for a sequel seems, well, a little hypocritical to many. Why? Because the Star Wars saga is practically famous for bringing characters back from seemingly definitive ends.

Remember Emperor Palpatine? His return in The Rise of Skywalker, famously introduced with the line "Somehow, Palpatine returned," felt unearned and convenient to many. He was supposedly blown up with the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi, only to reappear as the ultimate big bad. Fans were quick to point out this discrepancy: if Palpatine, who was literally disintegrated, can come back, why can't Ben Solo, whose body simply faded?

And let's not forget others who have defied death in the galaxy far, far away:

Darth Maul: Sliced in half and dropped down a reactor shaft in The Phantom Menace, only to return with cybernetic legs in The Clone Wars and Rebels.
Boba Fett: Presumed eaten by the Sarlacc in Return of the Jedi, but he clearly survived and got his own series, The Book of Boba Fett.
Asajj Ventress: Though not a direct resurrection from death, she survived multiple fatal encounters and was brought back by a ritual in some Expanded Universe stories, and later in the canon.
Ahsoka Tano: Saved from certain death by Ezra Bridger via time travel through the mystical "World Between Worlds" in Star Wars Rebels.

Given this rich history of resurrections, fans are understandably baffled by Disney's "literal interpretation" of Ben Solo's fate. His Force healing of Rey and subsequent fading into the Force could easily be interpreted as becoming one with the Force, but not necessarily a permanent end to his conscious existence, especially given the fantastical nature of the universe. It seems the argument against Ben Solo's return hinges more on creative choice and potentially a desire to move past the sequel era, rather than an ironclad rule of the Force.

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

— Steven Soderbergh, via The Associated Press

The Broader Implications for Star Wars Storytelling and Creative Freedom

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This rejection highlights a potential tension within Disney's management of the Star Wars franchise. On one hand, you have Lucasfilm, led by Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni, seemingly open to bold, character-driven storytelling, even if it challenges established endpoints. On the other, you have corporate executives, focused on a more literal and perhaps safer interpretation of the canon. This isn't the first time such creative differences have been rumored, and it raises questions about the balance between artistic vision and corporate oversight in such a massive franchise.

A "handmade and character-driven" film, as Driver described it, could have offered a refreshing change of pace from the grand, galaxy-spanning conflicts often depicted. It could have provided a nuanced exploration of Ben Solo's redemption, his struggle with his past as Kylo Ren, and his potential path as a Force-user trying to find his place after immense loss. For many, this sounds like exactly the kind of Star Wars story that could deepen the universe rather than just expand it.

The Unsung Hero: Ben Solo's Absence from Toy Shelves

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Beyond the cinematic disappointment, some fans also point to another lingering issue: the surprising lack of Ben Solo merchandise. While Kylo Ren figures are plentiful, a redeemed Ben Solo action figure, representing his final moments and true identity, is largely absent from Hasbro's lineup. You can find a Funko Pop, but that’s about it. This scarcity further emphasizes how the character's post-Kylo identity feels overlooked, both on screen and on the toy shelf.

Fans argue that if obscure background characters get figures, a major character like Ben Solo, with a profound legacy and connection to the Skywalker saga, certainly deserves one. The film's rejection only compounds this feeling of a missed opportunity to fully embrace and celebrate the character's complete journey.

What's Next for the Star Wars Galaxy and Adam Driver?

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While The Hunt for Ben Solo won't be gracing our screens, the Star Wars universe is far from dormant. The franchise is still very much alive with a slate of upcoming films and series:

The Mandalorian and Grogu: Jon Favreau's cinematic continuation of the popular Disney+ series is set for release on May 22, 2026.
Star Wars: Starfighter: Shawn Levy's film, reportedly starring Ryan Gosling, is slated for May 28, 2027.
Rey's Return: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is directing a film that will see Daisy Ridley reprise her role as Rey, picking up 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker.
Origins of the Force: James Mangold is developing a film that will explore the ancient origins of the Force.
New Trilogy: X-Men filmmaker Simon Kinberg is also attached to a new trilogy.

As for Adam Driver, he's staying busy in Hollywood, continuing his acclaimed career in various projects. While a return to the Star Wars universe for him seems unlikely now, his passion for the character and the "coolness" of the script he helped develop will surely leave fans wondering what could have been.

It's a bittersweet pill to swallow for Ben Solo fans. The idea of seeing more of his story, especially with such top-tier talent involved, was incredibly exciting. While Disney's reasoning centers on his canonical death, the franchise's history suggests that death in Star Wars is often more of a suggestion than a finality. For now, The Hunt for Ben Solo remains a fascinating "what if" in the ever-expanding Star Wars saga.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ben Solo and His Star Wars Future

Is Ben Solo really dead in the Star Wars canon?

According to The Rise of Skywalker, Ben Solo dies after Force healing Rey, and his body fades, indicating he becomes one with the Force. Disney executives cited this death as the reason for rejecting The Hunt for Ben Solo script.

What was the plot of The Hunt for Ben Solo?

Specific plot details haven't been revealed, but Adam Driver stated it would have been a sequel to The Rise of Skywalker, exploring Ben Solo's redemption arc and character after his presumed death. It was described as a "handmade and character-driven" film.

Who was involved in developing the rejected Ben Solo movie?

Adam Driver (actor), Steven Soderbergh (director), Rebecca Blunt (story outline), and Scott Z. Burns (scriptwriter) were the creative team behind The Hunt for Ben Solo. Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm leadership were supportive of the idea.

Why did Disney reject the Ben Solo sequel?

Disney executives, including Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, rejected the project because they "didn't see how Ben Solo was alive" after his death in The Rise of Skywalker, adhering to a literal interpretation of the character's fate.

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