Star Wars Kylo Ren Resurrection: Soderbergh Movie Attempt
- The actor revealed a detailed plan for a post-Rise of Skywalker film, "The Hunt for Ben Solo," that ultimately stalled due to executive decisions at Lucasfilm.
- Adam Driver, best known for his portrayal of Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, recently disclosed a scrapped project that would have continued the...
- Driver initiated the idea in 2021, expressing his willingness to reprise the role under the right conditions.
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Adam Driver Pitched a Kylo Ren Sequel with Steven Soderbergh-and Disney Said No
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The actor revealed a detailed plan for a post-Rise of Skywalker film, “The Hunt for Ben Solo,” that ultimately stalled due to executive decisions at Lucasfilm.
Published: November 21, 2023 | Last Updated: November 21, 2023
the abandoned Sequel: “The Hunt for Ben Solo”
Adam Driver, best known for his portrayal of Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, recently disclosed a scrapped project that would have continued the character’s story. In an interview with the Associated Press, Driver detailed a collaborative effort with director Steven soderbergh to develop a film titled “The Hunt for Ben Solo,” intended to explore Ben Solo’s journey after his apparent death in the Rise of Skywalker.
Driver initiated the idea in 2021, expressing his willingness to reprise the role under the right conditions. “I had been talking about doing another[[[[Star wars movie]since 2021,” Driver stated. “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.'” This led to a partnership with Soderbergh and writer Rebecca Blunt to outline a compelling narrative.
From Outline to Script: The Development Process
Soderbergh, known for his diverse filmography including Ocean’s Eleven and Contagion, developed a story outline with Blunt that Lucasfilm executives initially approved. Following this positive reception, Scott Z. Burns, a frequent Soderbergh collaborator (the Informant!, Side Effects), was brought on board to write a full script. This demonstrates a notable investment in the project, suggesting Lucasfilm seriously considered the possibility of extending the Skywalker saga.
Though, despite the progress, the project was ultimately shelved. Driver, now able to discuss the abandoned film, expressed a degree of relief. “It was really cool,” he said, “But it is no more, so I can finally talk about it.” The reasons for the cancellation remain somewhat opaque, but appear to stem from high-level decisions within Disney.
Why Was the Sequel Canceled?
While Disney hasn’t publicly detailed the reasons for rejecting “The Hunt for Ben Solo,” several factors likely contributed to the decision. Lucasfilm, under Kathleen Kennedy, has been charting a new course for Star wars, focusing on expanding the universe with projects like The Mandalorian, Andor, and upcoming films set outside the Skywalker lineage. A sequel centered on Kylo Ren might have been perceived as a step backward, possibly hindering the franchise’s efforts to forge a new identity.
Furthermore, the reception to the sequel trilogy was divisive. Despite the financial success, criticisms surrounding the narrative choices and character arcs may have made Lucasfilm hesitant to revisit that particular storyline. The cancellation could also be linked to broader strategic shifts within Disney, prioritizing different types of Star Wars content.
The Future of Star Wars
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