In an interview with AP News, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren actor Adam Driver shocked Star Wars fans with the revelation that he had been working on a Ben Solo-focused Star Wars movie, titled The Hunt for Ben Solo, for years. The movie would have been set after The Rise of Skywalker and therefore would have seen the return of Ben Solo following his death in that movie.
Although the story details of The Hunt for Ben Solo remain sparse in terms of what has been shared with the public, Driver did reveal that director Steven Soderbergh was signed on for the project and that there was a script for the movie, which Driver described as one of the coolest he’s been a part of. Evidently, several Lucasfilm executives, including Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, agreed with Driver and loved the idea.
With this momentum behind it, the script was presented to Disney for approval, which is sadly where the project met its apparent end. According to Driver, Disney CEO Bob Iger and other executives in the company didn’t see how Ben Solo could still be alive, and for that reason, they rejected the project. Per TheWrap, Soderbergh has since indicated that this was the first time Disney received a greenlit script from Lucasfilm and turned the project down.
Since the news of this Adam Driver-backed movie pitch came to light, Star Wars fans have been in an uproar online, with many more or less pleading with Disney to reconsider this decision and bring Ben Solo back. To those outside the fanbase, it might seem surprising that fans could feel so passionately about a project when the actual story details remain unknown, but the truth is, that only reinforces just how badly Star Wars really does need this movie.
Star Wars has a number of movies in the pipeline, including The Mandalorian and Grogu, which will be released in May of 2026, and Star Wars: Starfighter, which is set to arrive in 2027. Those projects are exciting, and The Mandalorian and Grogu in particular has major potential because of how beloved characters Din Djarin and Grogu (and The Mandalorian show) are. Yet, neither upcoming movie will likely reach the level of fanfare a Ben Solo movie would.
This is true for several reasons. For one, Ben Solo is a legacy character, in multiple ways. He’s the grandson of one of Star Wars’ greatest villains, Darth Vader, and he’s also the only canon son of Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa. That also, of course, makes him the nephew of the franchise’s most iconic Jedi, Luke Skywalker. In-universe, the character therefore has plenty of star power.
Ben’s story was also arguably one of the most captivating in the entire sequel trilogy, particularly because he was at one point a major—if not the main—villain of those movies. Then, like his grandfather before him, Ben was redeemed. What likely has fans particularly eager to see his return, however, is the fact that his redemption was almost immediately followed by his death. Audiences got so little time with Ben Solo the redeemed hero, and there’s clearly plenty of interest in that.
Yet, among the biggest reasons Ben Solo’s return would have such an impact on the fanbase is the fact that this character has remained central to the franchise for years, particularly in terms of the marketing, merchandising, and the Disney parks themselves. In fact, that only makes Disney’s decision to reject the project all the more confusing.
Galaxy’s Edge is one of the most beloved parts of the Disney parks, and although Batuu has plenty to offer for Star Wars fans in general, the sequel trilogy and its characters are at the forefront. This is particularly clear when it comes to the characters, rides, and sights available in the parks. Kylo Ren, for example, is one of the characters most commonly seen in Disney World’s Galaxy’s Edge, and his ship is likewise center stage. Kylo also has multiple appearances in the fan-favorite Rise of the Resistance ride.
Thus, even Disney park goers who aren’t incredibly familiar with Star Wars likely know Kylo Ren, only increasing the number of people who would likely be thrilled to see this character return to the screen. What’s more, it’s clear that Disney is aware of Kylo Ren’s popularity, as evidenced by his prominence in Galaxy’s Edge alone.
It’s therefore more than a little surprising that Disney would opt not to proceed with The Hunt for Ben Solo. Yes, there would be story obstacles to navigate, and not everyone is always going to be happy, but this really does feel like a major missed opportunity for Disney.
What Are Your Thoughts On The Hunt For Ben Solo?
Was Disney right to reject this movie? Would you want to see Ben Solo return?