Disney killed Adam Driver's Star Wars movie idea

Question

I found this Yahoo article talking about how Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh had created a script for a new Star Wars movie following Driver's character Ben Solo. However, when they went to pitch the idea Disney ultimately were the ones to say no. After looking at different articles, I found the original interview with AP News where they discuss the film. The film was pretty well rounded according to the Driver's statements, and it would make sense why fans would be disappointed. I would say that the overall claim is true in the sense that the reason the film didn't go further was because of Disney, however this is also a statement being said without commentary from Disney itself. Some articles might have exaggerated the details even though Driver himself described just how incredible the film would be with Variety also emphasizing Driver's passion for the project. As of now this is something that fans won't get to decide on which has caused some turmoil. Newer articles such as ones from Collider show recent pictures of a plane flying over Disney Studios with a banner saying, "Save The Hunt for Ben Solo". Yahoo even said, "It might end up being remembered as the greatest 'Star Wars' movie that was never made". Statements like this feel farfetched but I can agree that the overall statement that Disney shut down the idea is true. 

Answer 1

I think this is a really interesting idea from Adam Driver. However, I think Disney as of now have had a lot of in the works Star Wars projects. Along with the belief that Ben Solo couldn't be resurrected for a prequel, they simply may want to shift focus onto new projects, like their upcoming Mandolorian and Grogu movie, and the new Starfighter movie with Ryan Gosling, both set to come out in the next two years. As well, over recent years the mass public has slandered the new trilogy of Star Wars films, and Disney I don't believe is completely willing to resurrect this series or character, even for someone of Adam Drivers caliber and connection to the series. While It would be an incredibly interesting and cool movie, I think it'll forever me the Star Wars movie that never was.

Comments

What are your sources?

Answer 2

After researching the claim that Disney rejected a Star Wars film idea from Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh, I found it to be partially true but overstated. The main source was an Associated Press interview where Driver mentioned discussing a Ben Solo movie as a fun idea, not an official pitch. Secondary outlets like Variety, Collider, and Yahoo expanded on the story, using sensational headlines such as “Disney killed the film.” These entertainment sites rely on fan engagement, which can create bias toward exaggeration. Evidence supporting the claim includes Driver’s acknowledgment of the idea’s existence, but there’s no official record or confirmation from Disney or Lucasfilm that the film was ever pitched or rejected. This lack of verification weakens the claim.

Sources: 

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/adam-driver-says-disney-killed-204433449.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGF0Z3B0LmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAG3CVxobg8aR-GbDIeFkQ4CmXBXrmMGfNLvDMZzGKcYrgR-howKV94BYUjW4Nn4Wgc1Pls4RZYAinKHc-ytPUSXkps3nNIkfNu8jqCUPWZtzBogRTtvvHSqS_IWSeZwbe8s_WyBlt2n_i7jlWWy--QUyid-8v_Jm02qL--4fqDU0

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/adam-driver-kylo-ren-star-wars-steven-soderbergh-disney-1236557455/

Answer 3

I found articles confirming that Disney rejected Adam Driver’s idea for a Star Wars movie centered on his character, Kylo Ren. In the reports, Driver explained that he and director Steven Soderbergh pitched a film called The Hunt for Ben Solo to Lucasfilm, which responded positively. However, when the idea was presented to Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, they declined to move forward with it. According to Driver, Disney didn’t see how Ben Solo could still be alive after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. Overall, this claim is true—Disney did reject the project, effectively ending the potential film.

Source:
Adam Driver Pitched Kylo Ren 'Star Wars' Movie With Steven Soderbergh
Primary Source: Interview with Adam Driver, reported by Collider