Steven Soderbergh Unveils His Unproduced Star Wars Script: The Hunt for Ben Solo
As enthusiastic fans continue to rally for a long-awaited Star Wars project, acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh has finally broken his silence about his rejected script, The Hunt for Ben Solo. The five-time Oscar winner revealed that it marked a significant moment for Disney, as it was the first instance of the studio turning down a fully completed script for a Star Wars film. This revelation comes after actor Adam Driver, who portrayed Ben Solo, described the script as “one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of.”
In a recent post on Bluesky, Soderbergh expressed his mixed feelings about keeping the existence of The Hunt for Ben Solo a secret, stating, “For the record, I did not enjoy lying about the existence of THE HUNT FOR BEN SOLO, but it really did need to remain a secret… until now!” He further inquired with Kathleen Kennedy if Lucasfilm had ever submitted a finished script that Disney had rejected, to which she confirmed, “No, this was a first.”
Soderbergh had previously shared his thoughts with the Associated Press, saying, “I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it.” The story centers on Ben Solo, the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, and grandson of Anakin Skywalker, who appeared as the conflicted Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Although Kylo Ren experiences a redemption arc before his demise in The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Driver felt that Ben’s story was left unresolved.
“We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea,” Driver shared with the AP. “They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it. We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, and they said no. They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that.” The actor concluded, “But it is no more, so I can finally talk about it.”
In response to Disney’s rejection, fans have taken to the skies, campaigning for the film’s revival with a banner reading “SAVE #THEHUNTFORBENSOLO” flown over Walt Disney Studios. The passionate fanbase continues to hope that one day, Ben Solo’s story will be told on the big screen.
Conclusion
The story of The Hunt for Ben Solo remains a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been in the Star Wars universe. As fans rally together, the hope for a future project centered on this beloved character persists, showcasing the enduring impact of the Star Wars saga.
