The cancellation of The Hunt for Ben Solo is a missed opportunity for Star Wars, as it could have saved another film that Lucasfilm put on hold. Adam Driver ignited the flames of social media by recently revealing the fate of his spinoff film that would have continued Ben Solo’s story after the events of the sequel trilogy.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film would have explored Ben’s redemption further, and expanded aspects of the sequels that felt incomplete. While the film received support from Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni, Disney’s Bob Iger and Alan Bergman found difficulty with the film since Ben died in The Rise of Skywalker.
The project was unfortunately scrapped, but the internet’s reaction to this revelation suggests there is demand for more stories with Kylo Ren. The Hunt for Ben Solo could have continued the series post-Episode IX, and could have also been the perfect return for Rey, whose solo film has been put on hold since its announcement in 2023.
The Hunt For Ben Solo Could Have Also Worked As Rey’s Movie
As The Last Jedi showed, Rey and Ben had such a strong connection through the force that they could speak to one another, and interact with each other’s surroundings. This concept was expanded further in The Rise of Skywalker, as the two could battle or even pass objects to one another without needing to be in the same place.
Rey played a pivotal role in Kylo Ren’s redemption, even healing him after wounding him during battle. He returned the favor after she defeated Palpatine, but he used all of his life force to do so, and faded away. While he isn’t seen as a force ghost afterwards, Jedi typically fade away upon death, like Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Luke Skywalker.
It’s unlikely that Kylo Ren is still alive based on previously established rules, but since The Hunt for Ben Solo had a finished script, Soderbergh and Driver must have figured out how he’s still alive somewhere in the galaxy. If anyone knew where he was, it would be Rey, as she could likely sense him through the force.
Rey could have spearheaded the mission to find him, possibly recruiting Finn or Poe to assist in their search. Despite his villainous deeds, Rey believed there was still good in him, and he proved her right in his final moments. Their bond is strong, and could have been the basis behind the cancelled project.
Rey And Kylo Ren’s Connection Is One Of The More Interesting Elements From The Sequel Trilogy
One of the sequel trilogy’s biggest issues was that it felt like it lacked connective tissue, with certain storylines and elements that would get dropped before they concluded. However, Kylo Ren and Rey’s Force Dyad remained a consistent part of the trilogy, and introduced many intriguing concepts into the franchise.
Other force users have often been able to sense each other from long distances, but never were they able to see where the other one was or interact with their environments. The sequel trilogy did a lot with this idea, but it could have explored it even further.
The Force Dyad has so much potential, especially if Ben and Rey joined forces for an entire film. It’s worth exploring if there are any limits to their connection, or how much further it could go. If Ben is still alive, Rey’s senses could take her to a new part of the galaxy as she searches for him.
Star Wars Is Still Working On How To Bring Rey Back
A new film focused on Rey was announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023. Directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the film was speculated to be titled New Jedi Order, and would have shown Rey rebuilding the Jedi order. However, over two years later, the film has suffered multiple setbacks, including the loss of several writers.
Lost‘s Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson were initially attached to write the project, but later departed. Peaky Blinders‘ Steven Knight was then asked to write the script before later leaving the film in October 2024. In January 2025, the studio hired The Bourne Ultimatum‘s George Nolfi to write the project, but little news has been shared since.
While it hasn’t been officially cancelled, rumors suggest it has been shelved for the foreseeable future. It’s following a pattern of other Star Wars movies that were announced by Lucasfilm and later went nowhere. This happened with Rian Johnson’s trilogy, Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron, and Taika Waititi’s untitled film.
The only Star Wars movies with known release dates are The Mandalorian and Grogu, releasing on May 22, 2026, and the Ryan Gosling-led Star Wars: Starfighter, releasing on May 28, 2027. Lucasfilm is also developing a Jedi prequel film with director James Mangold, but that is still in early development.
Even if the Rey movie doesn’t happen, there are possible plans for her to return in a trilogy from Simon Kinberg. It’s unclear what keeps delaying Daisy Ridley’s return to Star Wars, but The Hunt for Ben Solo would have been a good place to start.
- Cast
-
Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal
- TV Show(s)
-
The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions
- Movie(s)
-
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order
- Character(s)
-
Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Rey Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Grand Inquisitor, Reva (The Third Sister), The Fifth Brother, The Seventh Sister, The Eighth Brother, Yoda, Din Djarin, Grogu, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
