The Star Wars franchise has long explored opportunities to expand its storytelling beyond the Skywalker saga, including potential projects centered on legacy characters after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. One such ambitious endeavor was The Hunt for Ben Solo, a proposed film that would have brought back Adam Driver as the redeemed Ben Solo (formerly Kylo Ren) in a post-Rise of Skywalker narrative. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Steven Soderbergh and featuring a script developed over an extended period, the project represented a high-profile attempt to revisit one of the saga's most complex and popular figures.
In a recent interview with BKMAG, Soderbergh broke his silence on the project's cancellation, expressing deep disappointment shared among the key creatives involved. “No, it was no surprise that she was frustrated. We were all frustrated. You know, that was two and a half years of free work for me and Adam [Driver], and Rebecca Blunt,” he said. “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. And as I posted, I’d kind of made the movie in my head, and just felt bad that nobody else was going to get to see it. 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.”
The director's comments highlight the significant investment of time and creative energy—spanning two and a half years of unpaid development—that went into the project without compensation or progression to formal production discussions. Soderbergh emphasized that the team had anticipated a pragmatic evaluation of logistics and costs, for which he felt prepared with strong responses, but the decision halted abruptly based solely on the conceptual objection to Ben Solo's survival. He described the outcome as "insane" and underscored a collective sense of letdown, noting that he had already visualized the entire film in his mind and regretted that audiences would never experience it.
With recent shifts in leadership at Lucasfilm, speculation has arisen about whether The Hunt for Ben Solo could be revived under new stewardship. In January 2026, the studio announced a major transition: Kathleen Kennedy stepped down from her long-standing role as president to return to producing, while Dave Filoni—renowned for his work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian, and other acclaimed series—was appointed President and Chief Creative Officer. Lynwen Brennan, a veteran executive with deep experience in Lucasfilm's business operations and prior roles at Industrial Light & Magic, was named Co-President. This dual-leadership structure pairs Filoni's extensive creative expertise in the Star Wars universe with Brennan's operational and financial acumen, potentially signaling a fresh approach to project development and decision-making.
Filoni's long history with Star Wars storytelling, including his contributions to expanding lore and character arcs in animation and live-action, could align well with revisiting nuanced figures like Ben Solo. The character's redemption in The Rise of Skywalker left room for interpretive storytelling, and the new co-presidents may prioritize bold, character-driven narratives that resonate with the franchise's dedicated audience. While no official indications have emerged regarding the revival of this specific project, the leadership change opens the door to re-evaluating previously shelved ideas, especially those with completed scripts and strong creative backing.
The cancellation of The Hunt for Ben Solo underscores ongoing challenges in balancing creative vision with corporate strategy within the expansive Star Wars ecosystem under Disney. Soderbergh's candid reflections serve as a reminder of the passion and effort invested by filmmakers drawn to the galaxy far, far away, even as external factors can alter trajectories. As Lucasfilm navigates its next era with Filoni and Brennan at the helm, the future of projects exploring post-saga possibilities remains an intriguing prospect for the franchise's evolution.
