The Star Wars fan community was stirred recently when Adam Driver disclosed that he and acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh collaborated on a pitch for a solo Kylo Ren movie titled The Hunt for Ben Solo. The proposed film, intended to follow the events after Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, aimed to explore the fate of Kylo Ren, a central character in the saga. This revelation highlights an intriguing, yet ultimately abandoned, extension of the Star Wars narrative that captivated many.
Development and Creative Team Behind the Project
Steven Soderbergh joined forces with screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, known for works like The Informant! and Contagion, to craft the screenplay for the film. Adam Driver spoke highly of the project during an interview with the Associated Press, calling it
“one of the coolest [expletive] scripts I had ever been a part of.”
He further explained his eagerness to revisit the Star Wars universe, noting,
“I always was interested in doing another Star Wars. I had been talking about doing another one since 2021. [Lucasfilm boss] 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.”
This enthusiasm emphasized the passion behind the effort to bring Kylo Ren’s story back to the screen.
Why Lucasfilm and Disney Declined the Project
Despite initial interest from Lucasfilm executives, including positive reception for the screenplay, the project was ultimately rejected by Disney’s top leadership. The core contention centered on how the character of Ben Solo (Kylo Ren) could plausibly survive after sacrificing himself to save Rey from Emperor Palpatine’s return. Driver recalled the decision, stating,
“We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it. We took it to [Disney head honchos] Bob Iger and Alan Bergman and they said no. They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that.”
The studio’s refusal to endorse the story closed the door on the film’s production.
Steven Soderbergh Reflects on the Experience
Initially brief in his comments to the AP, Soderbergh later expressed a more candid view on his Bluesky account, admitting,
“For the record, I did not enjoy lying about the existence of THE HUNT FOR BEN SOLO, but it really did need to remain a secret…until now!”
He also shared insight into the rarity of the situation, noting a conversation with Kathleen Kennedy:
“Also, in the aftermath of the HFBS situation, I asked Kathy Kennedy if [Lucasfilm] had ever turned in a finished movie script for green-light to Disney and had it rejected. She said no, this was a first.”
His words underscored the unprecedented nature of the cancellation within the Lucasfilm production process.
Fan Reactions and What Lies Ahead for Star Wars
Following the news of the scrapped project, fans mobilized quickly to advocate for the film, including orchestrating a banner over Disney headquarters in Burbank and placing a billboard in New York City. These efforts demonstrated the strong attachment to Kylo Ren’s story and the desire to see it expanded. Meanwhile, the Star Wars universe continues to thrive, with the next major release scheduled for May featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu. Jon Favreau returns as director and co-writer, signaling that the saga remains in capable hands as it ventures into new chapters for audiences worldwide.
