Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh has finally broken his silence regarding the cancellation of The Hunt for Ben Solo. The project, which would have seen Adam Driver reprise his role as a redeemed Ben Solo, was reportedly greenlit by Lucasfilm leadership before being unceremoniously axed by Disney executives.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview with BK Mag, Soderbergh didn’t hold back his frustration, labeling the decision to scrap the film as “insane.”
A Project Built on Passion
The news of The Hunt for Ben Solo first surfaced late last year when Adam Driver revealed he had been working on a pitch to continue Ben Solo’s story following the events of The Rise of Skywalker. According to Soderbergh, the project wasn’t just a “what if” scenario, it was a fully realized vision with two and a half years of development behind it.
“It was no surprise that [Kathleen Kennedy] was frustrated. We were all frustrated,” Soderbergh remarked. “That was two and a half years of free work for me and Adam and [producer] Rebecca Blunt.”
The film featured a screenplay by Scott Z. Burns (Contagion) and had the full backing of then-Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, as well as Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck. However, the project hit a durasteel wall when it reached Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.
Why Disney Called Off the Hunt
The primary reason cited for the cancellation of The Hunt for Ben Solo was a lack of faith in the audience’s ability to accept the character’s survival. Soderbergh noted that the “stated reason” from Disney was simply: “We don’t think Ben Solo could be alive.”
Despite the supernatural nature of the Force and the franchise’s long history of “somehow” bringing characters back from the brink, Disney leadership reportedly feared that Ben Solo’s survival would confuse casual viewers.
“I thought the conversation was strictly going to be a practical one, where they go, what is this going to cost?” Soderbergh explained. “But it never even got to that point. It’s insane.”
The Legacy of a Movie That Never Was
The revelation of The Hunt for Ben Solo has ignited a massive fan movement. From digital billboards in Times Square to charity drives, the “Bring Back Ben Solo” community has been vocal about wanting to see Driver return to the role.
While Kathleen Kennedy hinted in her exit interviews that the project could potentially be revived under new leadership, Soderbergh’s comments suggest that the bridge may have been burned for now. For the director, the most painful part is that he had already “made the movie” in his head.
As Disney shifts its focus toward The Mandalorian and Grogu and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s New Jedi Order film, The Hunt for Ben Solo remains one of the most intriguing “what ifs” in Star Wars history. For fans of Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh, the loss of this unique collaboration is a “Force ghost” that will haunt the franchise for years to come.
Stay tuned to Outer Rim News for more updates on the future of the Star Wars cinematic universe.
