Lucasfilm recently announced the return of Star Wars to theaters next year, focusing on The Mandalorian and Grogu, followed by Starfighter in 2027. However, beyond these plans, the future of the franchise’s movie projects remains uncertain. Among various ventures, a notable Steven Soderbergh Star Wars film starring Adam Driver was in development but was ultimately rejected by Disney executives despite strong support from Lucasfilm.
Mixed Fan Reactions to Upcoming Star Wars Projects
While Simon Kinberg is working on a new Star Wars trilogy, fans have expressed conflicting opinions about his involvement due to his association with unsuccessful films like Dark Phoenix and Fantastic Four. Other announced initiatives, such as a Rey-centered feature, a First Jedi story, and Dave Filoni’s Mando-verse crossover, currently lack clear progress. Amid this atmosphere of uncertainty, the news of a scrapped film by Soderbergh and Driver has sparked intense interest online.
Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh’s Ambitious Collaboration
In a revealing interview with AP News, Adam Driver discussed a two-year effort to develop a Star Wars movie titled The Hunt for Ben Solo alongside director Steven Soderbergh. Driver explained that Lucasfilm showed enthusiastic support for the project, but Disney leadership, including Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, ultimately rejected the concept.
“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, Actor
Story Development and Pitching Process
Driver considered the character of Kylo Ren, also known as Ben Solo, to have unfinished narrative potential after his redemption and death in 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. To bring this story to life, Driver teamed with Soderbergh and screenwriter Rebecca Blunt, known for Logan Lucky, to craft the story’s foundation. Later, Scott Z. Burns, who worked on Contagion, began drafting the screenplay. The completed script was presented to Lucasfilm leaders Kathleen Kennedy, Cary Beck, and Dave Filoni, who embraced the project’s direction.
“We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it. It was called ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ and it was really cool. 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.”
—Adam Driver, Actor
Creative Vision and Unfulfilled Potential
Driver described the script as one of the most exciting he had ever been involved with, highlighting the strong artistic vision behind the project. Soderbergh shared his regret, stating,
“I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it.”
—Steven Soderbergh, Filmmaker
Kylo Ren’s character, while divisive during the Star Wars sequel trilogy, gained widespread popularity, and many fans were disappointed by his death, which came after he saved Rey’s life heroically. The concept of a film exploring his story’s continuation and redemption held considerable appeal.
Unexpected Rejection from Disney Top Executives
Though Ben Solo’s return contradicts the established conclusion of The Rise of Skywalker, where he dies, Disney executives found the premise unacceptable. This decision appears surprising given that the same film resurrected Emperor Palpatine, demonstrating storytelling flexibility.
Approach to Production and Storytelling Philosophy
Driver emphasized a thoughtful approach to budgeting and storytelling for the project, aiming for a character-driven feature made with careful economy but preserving the essence of Star Wars. He referenced The Empire Strikes Back as the ideal standard, praising Soderbergh’s dedication to his principles.
“We wanted to be judicial about how to spend money and be economical with it, and do it for less than most but in the same spirit of what those movies are, which is handmade and character-driven.”
—Adam Driver, Actor
“’Empire Strikes Back’ being, in my opinion, the standard of what those movies were, but he is, to me, one of my favorite directors of all time. He lives his code, lives his ethics, doesn’t compromise.”
—Adam Driver, Actor
Implications for Star Wars and Future Expectations
The cancellation of The Hunt for Ben Solo represents a significant missed opportunity for Star Wars fans eager to explore more of Kylo Ren’s complex journey. The rejection highlights ongoing uncertainty about how the franchise will evolve under Disney’s leadership, especially regarding narratives that deviate from firmly established lore. While Lucasfilm continues its work on various projects, the loss of this collaboration with Steven Soderbergh and Adam Driver leaves unanswered questions about what else could have expanded the universe in fresh and compelling ways.
