Rian Johnson, director of The Last Jedi, recently addressed the fate of The Hunt for Ben Solo, a proposed Star Wars follow-up film, during an interview on Sirius XM with Andy Cohen. The film, highly anticipated in the fan community, has been shelved indefinitely, with Johnson clarifying his current relationship with Lucasfilm and the unclear reasons behind the project’s cancellation.
While Johnson remains on good terms with Lucasfilm, he confirmed that the planned trilogy of films he was set to develop with the studio is presently paused. Discussing The Hunt for Ben Solo, Johnson admitted,
“no idea what happened with any of that,”
relating to the film’s approval and subsequent shelving. Despite this uncertainty, he expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of Adam Driver returning to the Star Wars universe, stating,
“I want to see Adam in another Star Wars movie.”
Overview of ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ Project
The Hunt for Ben Solo was conceived as a continuation set after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, focusing on the aftermath of Ben Solo’s apparent death. Developed by Adam Driver, Steven Soderbergh, and screenwriter Jules Asner, the film had gained initial approval from Lucasfilm and secured a script from Scott Z. Burns. However, Disney ultimately decided to cancel the project, keeping it under wraps until Driver’s recent mention reignited public interest.
Since this reveal, fans have launched a passionate campaign urging Disney to reconsider and greenlight the movie, signaling significant support for further exploration of Ben Solo’s character and storyline.
Rian Johnson’s Current Work: The Knives Out Trilogy
Johnson is currently focused on completing the Knives Out series, with the upcoming film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery marking the third installment. This mystery features Daniel Craig reprising his role as detective Benoit Blanc, accompanied by a star-studded cast including Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, Kerry Washington, and Andrew Scott. The movie is set for a limited theatrical release on November 26 before streaming on Netflix starting December 12.
Notable Cast of Wake Up Dead Man
Daniel Craig returns as the astute detective Benoit Blanc, while Josh O’Connor portrays Reverend Jud Duplenticy, among a varied ensemble involved in the intricate storyline filled with victims, suspects, and deceptive twists.
Johnson’s current engagement with such a high-profile mystery series highlights his shift away from immediate Star Wars projects, though his interest in the franchise remains apparent. The cancellation of The Hunt for Ben Solo has not halted fan enthusiasm, nor Johnson’s hope that the story might eventually be told.
