Pictured (Left): Adam Driver in his role as Kylo Ren in ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’. Photo credit: Lucasfilm. (Right): Oscar® nominee Steven Soderbergh arriving on the red carpet for The 93rd Oscars® ceremony at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
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Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh proposed a concept for a ‘Star Wars’ spin-off focusing on Ben Solo. The narrative would have continued his character’s journey following the events of ‘The Rise of Skywalker’. While Lucasfilm showed enthusiasm for the pitch, Disney ultimately declined to move forward with the project.
Despite a considerable hiatus in new ‘Star Wars’ cinematic releases since ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ in 2019, it wasn’t due to a lack of effort from Adam Driver and director Steven Soderbergh. In a recent discussion with the Associated Press, Driver disclosed that he and his ‘Logan Lucky’ collaborator, along with writers Scott Z. Burns and Rebecca Blunt, developed a ‘Star Wars’ spin-off titled ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’.
“Every generation has a legend”
Release Date: Dec 20, 2019
Run Time: 2 hr 22 min
Budget: $489,900,000
The proposed film would have depicted Ben (also known as Kylo Ren) secretly surviving the climax of ‘Skywalker’ and embarking on a quest for atonement. Driver offered these remarks regarding a potential return to the franchise:
“I always was interested in doing another ‘Star Wars.’ 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.”
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So, what became of ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’?
(L to R) Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ Photo: Lucasfilm.
As recounted by Driver, he, Soderbergh, Blunt (who helped outline the narrative), and Burns (who penned a draft) conceived the idea. (There’s no specific detail on how Solo would have survived after his apparent demise in ‘Skywalker,’ but given Palpatine’s return, possibilities are endless.) They then presented it to Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Carrie Beck at Lucasfilm, all of whom responded positively to the concept.
However, the decision-making process extended beyond Lucasfilm, requiring the team to secure approval from Disney. Here’s Driver’s account of that interaction:
“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.”
Steven Soderbergh also shared his sentiments with the AP regarding his regret over the unproduced movie:
“I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it.”
What’s on the horizon for ‘Star Wars’ in cinemas?
(L to R) Grogu and Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in Lucasfilm’s ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.
The next confirmed theatrical release is ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu,’ with Jon Favreau directing, set to arrive on screens on May 22 of the following year. This will be followed by ‘Star Wars: Starfighter,’ featuring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy, scheduled for release on May 28, 2027.
(L to R): Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray on the set of ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’. Photo: Shawn Levy/Instagram.
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