Steven Soderbergh Says Disney Rejected Finished Star Wars Script

Steven Soderbergh disclosed that Disney declined a completed Star Wars screenplay he had developed, marking an unprecedented occurrence for the franchise. The project centered on Ben Solo, the complex character who evolves from villain to hero, and was titled The Hunt for Ben Solo. This news emerged amid growing interest in the canceled film from Star Wars enthusiasts.

Details of the Canceled Ben Solo Film Revealed

Earlier this week, actor Adam Driver, known for portraying Ben Solo, discussed the scrapped movie in an interview with the Associated Press. The storyline was designed to unfold after the events of 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. While the concept initially gained favor within Lucasfilm, Disney ultimately decided not to proceed with the project.

Driver shared,

“We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it,”

highlighting early enthusiasm from the creative team. However, the top executives at Disney held a different view.

“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,”

he added, explaining the reason behind the rejection.

Driver further commented on the project’s cancellation, stating,

“It was called ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ and it was really cool. But it is no more, so I can finally talk about it.”

Lucasfilm’s First Rejection of a Completed Script

The rejection of Soderbergh’s screenplay marked a milestone within the Star Wars production history. Soderbergh recounted in a public statement that after the incident, he inquired with Kathy Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, about whether any other finished scripts had been turned down before. He relayed,

“Also, in the aftermath of the ‘HFBS’ situation, I asked Kathy Kennedy if LFL had ever turned in a finished movie script for greenlight to Disney and had it rejected,”

and she confirmed,

“She said no, this was a first.”

Creative Team Behind the Project

The script for The Hunt for Ben Solo was penned by Scott Z. Burns, who completed the screenplay before it was reviewed by Disney executives. Despite the creative efforts and support from both Soderbergh and Driver, the project was ultimately halted due to the decision by Disney leadership. Reflecting on the experience, Soderbergh remarked,

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

expressing his regret over the cancellation.

Implications of the Script Rejection and Future Prospects

This episode is significant as it represents the first time a finished Star Wars script was rejected by Disney, signaling potential shifts in how the franchise’s future stories will be managed. The decision also highlights the challenges of continuing story arcs involving characters like Ben Solo. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see how Lucasfilm and Disney approach upcoming projects, especially those dealing with complex narratives and legacy characters within the Star Wars universe.