Adam Driver’s pitch for an Adam Driver Ben Solo Spin-Off was recently declined by Disney, despite strong fan interest and the character’s enduring popularity. The proposal, which sought to continue Ben Solo’s story following The Rise of Skywalker, failed to convince Disney’s executives because of the character’s canonical death, but examples from other franchises suggest the project may yet be revived.
Reasons Behind Disney’s Decision to Reject the Ben Solo Spin-Off
Adam Driver revealed that his spin-off concept was developed for over two years with the backing of Lucasfilm leaders Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni. The project enlisted high-profile filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh and Scott Z. Burns to assist with the screenplay, indicating serious creative investment. However, Disney’s top executives, including CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chair Alan Bergman, declined the pitch, primarily due to Ben Solo’s death in The Rise of Skywalker.
This reasoning appears somewhat inconsistent, given that The Rise of Skywalker also featured the unexpected return of Emperor Palpatine, while other characters such as Boba Fett and Darth Maul had similarly died in previous installments but were still brought back to continue their stories. Normally, within the Star Wars universe, popular or powerful characters have found ways to be resurrected or reintroduced.
Additionally, the setting of Ben Solo’s death, the planet Exegol, is established canonically as a place where the boundary between life and death is thin. Beyond that, Ben Solo shared a unique Force bond—a “dyad”—with Rey Skywalker, granting them extraordinary abilities to influence time and space. Despite being one of the sequel trilogy characters with the most unexplored potential, Ben Solo’s demise was treated as too definitive by Disney to allow for a spin-off continuation at this time.
The Role of Fan Support and Historic Precedents Like Deadpool
Following the news of Disney’s refusal, a large portion of the Star Wars fandom united across social platforms to express support for the Ben Solo spin-off, demanding the studio reconsider. This kind of grassroots fan enthusiasm has led to revivals in other instances. For example, in 2014, after 20th Century Fox rejected the Deadpool movie, test footage was leaked and went viral, largely with the involvement of Ryan Reynolds himself.
The overwhelming online demand for Deadpool eventually compelled Fox to greenlight the film, which went on to earn more than $780 million globally and earned critical acclaim. Deadpool’s success spawned sequels and eventually integration into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This case shows how dedicated fan backing combined with creative persistence can save or resurrect projects that initially seemed unlikely to move forward.
If communities can mobilize for characters like Deadpool or even the controversial redesign of Sonic the Hedgehog, enthusiasts might similarly influence Disney to revisit the proposed Star Wars spin-off focused on Ben Solo.
Prospects for The Hunt for Ben Solo Moving Forward
While reversing Disney’s decision on the Ben Solo spin-off remains uncertain, the precedent set by Deadpool demonstrates that such shifts are feasible when there is enough public demand. If interest from fans continues to build and Adam Driver remains eager to reprise the role, Lucasfilm’s current emphasis on theatrical releases could open the door for reconsideration.
Maintaining strong online engagement and vocal calls for the project will be important. Persistence in expressing support might persuade Disney to reevaluate, seeing the spin-off as a valuable addition to the franchise’s expanding canon, particularly since Ben Solo’s character held significant narrative depth within the sequel trilogy.
The story of Ben Solo, especially given the unique Force connection with Rey and the mysterious planet Exegol, offers fertile ground for further exploration. In a contemporary storytelling environment where few narratives remain closed, the possibility of Ben Solo’s return to Star Wars lore remains alive, fueled by fan passion and the willingness of creators like Adam Driver.
