Hollywood actor Adam Driver has opened up about his long-discussed idea for a standalone Star Wars film focused on Kylo Ren’s redemption journey after The Rise of Skywalker. The actor shared that he and director Steven Soderbergh developed the project, titled The Hunt for Ben Solo, over two years before it was ultimately rejected by Disney.
According to Driver, the story would have followed Ben Solo’s path to redemption, delving into the emotional aftermath of his transformation from Kylo Ren. The film’s tone, he said, would have been “handmade and character-driven,” reminiscent of The Empire Strikes Back. Soderbergh collaborated with Logan Lucky screenwriter Rebecca Blunt, later joined by Scott Z. Burns, to craft the screenplay.
Driver revealed that the concept received an enthusiastic response from Lucasfilm executives including Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Cary Beck, who “loved the idea and direction.” However, Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman ultimately rejected the pitch, questioning the logic of Ben Solo’s survival. “They didn’t see how Ben was alive. And that was that,” Driver said.
Reflecting on the creative journey, Soderbergh remarked, “I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it.” Driver called the project “one of the coolest scripts I’ve ever worked on,” emphasizing his continued affection for the Star Wars universe and the character of Kylo Ren.
Driver first appeared as Kylo Ren in The Force Awakens (2015), reprising the role in The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Meanwhile, the actor will next be seen in Jim Jarmusch’s award-winning film Father Mother Sister Brother, marking their third collaboration.