Actor Adam Driver brought a unique intensity to his role as Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, a performance so powerful it led to an unusual innovation in the animation and voiceover industry. During a recent interview promoting the Pixar film Hoppers, Dave Franco disclosed that a metal support bar, now known as the “Adam Driver bar,” was installed inside recording booths to help voice actors manage the physical demands prompted by Driver’s intense sessions.
The Origin of the Adam Driver Bar in Voice Recording
Dave Franco, appearing on BBC’s The One Show, revealed the story behind the peculiar metal bar installed in voiceover studios. He recounted entering the booth and spotting the bar without understanding its purpose at first. Franco said,
“So, when I first went into the recording booth, I remember stepping in and there was this metal bar in front of me. I was like, ‘Guys, what’s the bar all about?’ And they were like, ‘If you wanna lean on it, you can.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t think I’m going to lean on the bar.’ Cut to the end of the session, I am gripping that bar with all my might. I’m dripping sweat.”
—Dave Franco, Actor
The bar was reportedly introduced during Adam Driver’s voice work for his role as Kylo Ren. Industry insiders began referring to it as the “Adam Driver bar” due to its origins. Wyatt Russell, a fellow guest on the show, confirmed the bar’s reputation by admitting,
I’ve heard of this! I was gonna say something, and I didn’t say anything.
—Wyatt Russell, Actor
Franco elaborated that the bar was designed to support the physical strain Driver experienced during voice sessions, revealing,
Yeah, so I guess when he was playing Kylo Ren, there was some voice stuff that he did in the studio, and I guess he just needed something to hold on to.
—Dave Franco, Actor
Franco further claimed,
And he invented this thing that changed animation forever.
—Dave Franco, Actor
Wyatt Russell praised Driver’s innovation, stating Adam Driver is a genius and confirmed the bar’s effectiveness.
Adam Driver’s Desire to Revisit the Star Wars Universe
Despite the conclusion of Kylo Ren’s story in 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, where the character ultimately redeemed himself as Ben Solo before dying, Adam Driver expressed interest in returning to the franchise. Although his character perished after aiding Rey in defeating Emperor Palpatine, Driver actively worked on a new story idea to bring Ben Solo back.
Working with director Steven Soderbergh, Driver co-developed a script that they pitched to Lucasfilm executives. The project initially received approval, and a screenplay was drafted. However, the concept was later rejected by Disney leadership, who decided that Ben Solo’s death was definitive and that reviving the character was not feasible within the franchise’s future.
Unveiling ‘The Hunt For Ben Solo’: The Lost Star Wars Film
During promotion for his film Father Mother Sister Brother, Adam Driver revealed to the Associated Press the details of a planned Star Wars film titled The Hunt For Ben Solo, which he and Steven Soderbergh had developed over two years.
I had been talking about doing another one since 2021. 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,
—Adam Driver, Actor
The story was crafted by Driver, Soderbergh, and writer Rebecca Blunt, and presented to Lucasfilm executives Kathleen Kennedy, Cary Beck, and Dave Filoni. Scott Z. Burns was enlisted to write the script, which Driver described as,
one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of.
—Adam Driver, Actor
Disney Executives Shelved the Ben Solo Project
The film’s cancellation reportedly came from top Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman. Driver explained the process, saying,
We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it,
—Adam Driver, Actor
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.
—Adam Driver, Actor
Steven Soderbergh also commented on the decision, expressing his regret in a statement,
I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it.
—Steven Soderbergh, Director
Steven Soderbergh Reflects on the Film’s Cancellation
In February 2026, speaking with BK Mag, Soderbergh addressed the disappointment surrounding the project’s termination, saying,
We were all frustrated,
—Steven Soderbergh, Director
You know, that was two and a half years of free work for me and Adam and [writer] Rebecca Blunt. When Adam and I discussed him talking about it publicly, I said, ‘Look, do not editorialize or speculate about the why. Just say what happened, because all we know is what happened.’ The stated reason was, ‘We don’t think Ben Solo could be alive.’ And that was all we were told. And so there’s nothing to do about it, you know, except move on.
—Steven Soderbergh, Director
He added,
I’d kind of made the movie in my head, and just felt bad that nobody else was going to get to see it,
—Steven Soderbergh, Director
I thought the conversation was strictly going to be a practical one—where they go, what is this going to cost? And I had a really good answer for that. But it never even got to that point. It’s insane. We’re all very disappointed.
—Steven Soderbergh, Director
The Adam Driver bar remains a testament to the demanding environment created by the actor’s committed portrayal, influencing methods in voiceover recording. Meanwhile, the abandonment of The Hunt For Ben Solo highlights the complexities and constraints shaping the future of the Star Wars saga despite passionate efforts from key creators.
ben solo. that's the tweet. pic.twitter.com/y8cPwRpxoq
— Vader's Order (@VadersOrder) October 23, 2025
