Fans of Star Wars were disappointed when Adam Driver, who portrayed Kylo Ren, revealed that a planned spinoff film titled The Hunt for Ben Solo was shelved by Disney. The project, which would have taken place after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, was pitched to Lucasfilm with director Steven Soderbergh attached, but executives rejected the concept due to disbelief about Ben Solo’s survival. Despite this setback, supporters remain hopeful that a campaign inspired by the Ryan Reynolds Deadpool Campaign model might revive the film.
Early Attempts and Fan Parallels with Deadpool
The idea of rallying fans to bring a film project to life is not unfamiliar in the industry. On social media platform X, user @hauntxmexthen referenced the challenging development process of the Deadpool movie, highlighting how 20th Century Fox initially dismissed the idea of a standalone film despite Reynolds’ efforts leaking test footage that fueled widespread enthusiasm. This user’s observation stresses that Adam Driver appears intentional in drawing attention to his proposed film, similar to Reynolds’ tactic.
“I think Adam Driver knows exactly what he’s doing,”
@hauntxmexthen wrote, comparing Driver’s remarks to Reynolds’ strategy.
However, this comparison has met with mixed reactions among fans. While some believe that the notoriety of Deadpool and the existing demand for the character helped generate momentum, critics argue that Ben Solo does not ignite similar interest.
“Yeah except there’s ZERO measurable demand for this s***. Ryan had something mass audiences wanted. Star Wars is already a corpse and that’s that,”
commented @ValliantRenegad.
This skepticism is echoed by others who emphasize Marvel’s substantial fanbase that propelled Deadpool forward, contrasting it with the uncertain support surrounding Driver’s project.
“But Deadpool had major backing of Marvel’s fanbase behind him….do you think Adam has that backing?”
@namratrm stated.
Conversely, some express optimism about fan influence and the potential for leaks to galvanize interest in The Hunt for Ben Solo.
“Always always believe in fandom power. [Especially] in times like this, when people are not going to cinemas, and condemning many projects by [Marvel] & [Star Wars],”
@galatians_4_6 remarked.
“We need to leak the art pieces that were made,”
@Ok677677 added, suggesting that revealing concept art might help the campaign’s cause.
Context Around The Hunt for Ben Solo and Lucasfilm’s Current Strategy
The situation surrounding The Hunt for Ben Solo involves more than just fan interest; it reflects Lucasfilm’s present position in determining the future of the Star Wars franchise. After the divisive reception of the sequel trilogy, marked notably by the mixed reviews for The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm is navigating a complex slate of upcoming projects. Titles like The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter are confirmed for release in the coming years, but plans beyond these remain uncertain.
Several previously announced Star Wars films, including New Jedi Order and Dawn of the Jedi, have faced stalling development issues. Unlike these stalled productions, The Hunt for Ben Solo had a completed script and received support from Lucasfilm itself, but it was ultimately disapproved by Disney leadership.
Should Lucasfilm encounter continued difficulties advancing its current slate, revisiting this shelved spinoff might be an alternative avenue, especially given the involvement of Steven Soderbergh, a notable director respected within the industry. This could open the door for renewed discussions or new support if public interest intensifies.
The Divide Among Fans on Revisiting the Skywalker Legacy
Resistance to a further focus on the Skywalker family is another factor complicating the project’s revival. Many fans express a desire for the franchise to explore new characters and stories instead of revisiting established arcs. This creative divergence stems from the perception that the sequel trilogy’s narrative left unresolved or unsatisfactory elements, influencing audience enthusiasm.
Despite this, Kylo Ren remains a compelling figure within the saga, owing much to Adam Driver’s acclaimed performance. His character’s popularity provides some justification for continuing to explore Ben Solo’s story. For viewers and fans who enjoyed the portrayal, the prospect of seeing Kylo Ren return holds genuine appeal.
Challenges Compared to the Deadpool Campaign
While the analogy to the Ryan Reynolds Deadpool Campaign is tempting, there are critical distinctions. The success of Deadpool’s campaign hinged on the release of unofficial test footage that offered fans a concrete glimpse of the film’s style and humor. This not only built excitement but served as an unofficial teaser that galvanized supporters.
In contrast, no similar concrete materials, such as footage or teasers for The Hunt for Ben Solo, are currently available to energize the fanbase. Merely discussing the potential of the film may not be sufficient to inspire an effective grassroots push. Without tangible content to share, rallying extensive support could prove challenging despite the interest in the project.
Ultimately, the future of this proposed spinoff remains uncertain. If interest continues to build and more materials leak or are released, momentum might grow, potentially influencing Lucasfilm or Disney to reconsider their stance. Until then, the film remains a missed opportunity discussed mostly within fan forums and social media speculation.
https://twitter.com/hauntxmexthen/status/1980769987855020096
