The Hunt for Ben Solo

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"I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it."

―Steven Soderbergh^[1]

The Hunt for Ben Solo was a film concepted by Adam Driver, Steven Soderbergh, and Rebecca Blunt but rejected by Disney.^[1]

Development

"We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it. We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman and they said no."

―Adam Driver^[1]

Actor Adam Driver, who portrayed Ben Solo in the sequel trilogy, felt there was unfinished business for the character after his death in Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker. Driver shared a concept of a story with director Steven Soderbergh to continue Solo's story after The Rise of Skywalker. Afterwards, Soderbergh and Rebecca Blunt outlined a story that they eventually pitched to Lucasfilm president, vice president, and chief creative officer, Kathleen Kennedy, Carrie Beck, and Dave Filoni respectively. Lucasfilm expressed interest, resulting in screenwriter Scott Z. Burns being called to write the script.^[1] It was developed under the codename Quiet Leaves.^[3]

The script, titled The Hunt for Ben Solo now, was presented to Lucasfilm, who, according to Driver, understood and loved the script. When the script was later presented to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman it was rejected as they were unable to accept Solo being alive, ending development of the film after two years.^[1] This was the first time Disney rejected a completed script from Lucasfilm.^[4]

In an interview published October 20, 2025, Driver revealed the film's conception and downfall to the public.^[1] That same day, Soderbergh commented he did not enjoy lying about the movie.^[5] Driver referred to the script as "one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of."^[1]

Reception

Driver and Soderbergh's comments made immediate waves across the Star Wars fanbase^[6] and resulted in a fan campaign to see the film completed,^[7] including a plane flying a banner in support of the film over Disney headquarters.^[8] Star Wars author Adam Lance Garcia expressed an interest in writing the film's novelization if something like it came to pass.^[9] Sources close to Driver and Soderbergh told Playlist that it had not been their intention to drum up the fan campaign by publicly discussing the film, with those sources alleging both Driver and Soderbergh see the film as permanently shelved.^[3] Shortly after Driver's interview, the official Star Wars YouTube channel happened to post a scene from The Rise of Skywalker where Solo confronted the reborn Galactic Emperor Darth Sidious with the aid of fellow Jedi Rey, a move that was widely regarded as ironic or even calculated.^[6]