Disney Rejected Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh’s ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ — Kylo Ren’s Return Was the Sticking Point

Adam Driver says he and director Steven Soderbergh pitched a follow-up to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker called The Hunt for Ben Solo, but Disney passed because it didn’t see how Kylo Ren could come back from the dead, according to The Associated Press. The report has driven discussion online about whether bringing Ben Solo back would undo the film’s final message.

  1. Planned sequel and who was involved
  2. What happened to Kylo Ren in The Rise of Skywalker
  3. Fan reaction on social media
  4. Other Star Wars resurrections and precedents
  5. Why the question matters for the story

Planned sequel and who was involved

According to the AP report, Adam Driver teamed up with Steven Soderbergh on an idea for a sequel tentatively titled The Hunt for Ben Solo. Lucasfilm reportedly liked the concept, but Disney declined to move forward because executives couldn’t agree on a believable way to bring Kylo Ren back from the dead.

What happened to Kylo Ren in The Rise of Skywalker

In the film, Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) turns on Emperor Palpatine, fights his own Knights of Ren, and helps Rey survive. In his final act, he uses his remaining life force to revive Rey, shares a kiss with her, and then dies and disappears, implying he became one with the Force.

Context within the trilogy

This ending is often discussed alongside Anakin Skywalker’s arc: critics and fans note that Kylo’s final choice — to save someone he loves rather than cling to power — stands in contrast to Anakin’s attempts to avoid loss. Therefore, many see Kylo’s death as a deliberate narrative bookend about sacrifice and redemption.

Fan reaction on social media

News of the proposed sequel set off speculation and debate online, with responses ranging from excitement to calls for the character to remain dead. Several users shared reactions and theories after the AP report.

Other Star Wars resurrections and precedents

Star Wars has a history of characters returning in various ways. For example, the return of Emperor Palpatine in the sequel trilogy became a long-running talking point and memes about it appeared online; see this example on Know Your Meme. Meanwhile, other characters have come back through different devices: Darth Maul survives severe injuries in the prequel era and later stories, Asajj Ventress is resurrected by ritual in some expanded-universe material, and Ahsoka Tano is pulled into the World Between Worlds in Rebels.

Why the question matters for the story

Whether Kylo Ren should return is not just a production question. It’s also a storytelling one. If a character’s death is written as a redemptive, final act, then reversing it can change the emotional logic of the story. On the other hand, Star Wars often uses fantastical means to extend characters’ lives, so the debate mixes creative, emotional, and practical considerations.

Ultimately, the decision rests with the rights holders and creators. For now, the AP report is the clearest public account of the pitch and Disney’s response, and fans continue to discuss what the future could or should hold for Ben Solo.

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