What happens when a star refuses to let his most notorious character rest? The answer involves a surprise collaborator, a killer idea, and a hard stop at the top.
Adam Driver didn’t want Kylo Ren’s journey to end with The Rise of Skywalker. He pushed for a follow-up at Lucasfilm after reading a compelling spin-off script from Steven Soderbergh, a pitch that climbed all the way to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman. Disney declined, rejecting any resurrection of Ben Solo despite the enthusiasm in the room. The franchise is pressing ahead with fresh film plans like The Mandalorian and Grogu, Star Wars Starfighter, and New Jedi Order instead.
A villain to remember
Few characters in recent cinema have stirred as much conversation as Kylo Ren, the brooding, conflicted antagonist of Star Wars episodes 7, 8, and 9. Played by the versatile Adam Driver, the character earned both fervent fans and vocal detractors. Beneath the divided reception, Driver remained deeply connected to the role, committed enough to explore ways to bring Kylo Ren back after The Rise of Skywalker.
Adam Driver’s ambitious proposal
After portraying Kylo Ren throughout the sequel trilogy, Adam Driver wasn’t ready to bid his Star Wars alter ego farewell. Fascinated by Ben Solo’s internal struggle, he pitched the idea of a standalone film diving deeper into the villain’s development. According to insiders, discussions with Lucasfilm and Disney progressed far enough to spark real curiosity about a story for Kylo Ren outside the main saga.
The project wasn’t just a fleeting notion. With filmmaker Steven Soderbergh involved, the potential for an engaging, emotionally rich Kylo Ren spin-off seemed within reach. Driver reportedly admired the concept and was eager to evolve Ben Solo’s journey in what was tentatively titled The Hunt for Ben Solo.
The script that never was
It is not every day that someone like Steven Soderbergh takes a crack at a Star Wars narrative. Though few details about the script have surfaced, reports suggest it captured Driver’s imagination. The idea was framed as an introspective exploration of the tormented Ben Solo, the man behind Kylo Ren’s mask, with the potential to reconcile parts of the fandom with the character’s arc.
Armed with passion and a story he believed in, Driver approached Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman. Despite early buzz and Lucasfilm’s openness to brainstorming, the project stalled. Disney maintained that Kylo Ren’s story had ended and would not be reopened, even with a compelling creative package.
Disney’s firm no and what could have been
Disney ultimately chose to focus on new directions for the Star Wars universe. The studio signaled a forward-looking slate, developing stories like Star Wars New Jedi Order with Daisy Ridley reprising her role as Rey, alongside big-screen expansions of The Mandalorian. Passing on The Hunt for Ben Solo left a pocket of the fanbase imagining the trajectory a character-focused feature might have taken.
Steering clear of legacy arcs can streamline a new era, yet the Driver and Soderbergh effort remains a testament to the enduring pull of Star Wars villains and heroes. Ben Solo did not receive his spin-off, but the debates and emotions tied to his journey continue to resonate across the fandom.