When Adam Driver finally decided to speak publicly about the scrapped Kylo Ren movie he developed with director Steven Soderbergh and writer Rebecca Blunt, he didn’t do it impulsively. As it turns out, he first sought guidance from Soderbergh himself — and the filmmaker’s advice was as sharp and disciplined as you’d expect from one of Hollywood’s most methodical storytellers.
The project, which would have followed Ben Solo after a mysterious resurrection post-The Rise of Skywalker, was quietly developed for two and a half years. Driver, Soderbergh, and Blunt worked on the story without pay, believing they were close to securing a green light from Lucasfilm leadership. But according to Soderbergh, the final decision came from even higher up at Disney — and it was a firm “no.”
Read also: Chris Hemsworth Confirms Thor’s Future After Avengers: Doomsday — And Fans Will Love It
In an interview with BKMag, Soderbergh explained the advice he gave Driver once the actor considered discussing the failed project publicly. His message was simple:
Don’t speculate. Don’t editorialize. Stick to the facts. The only explanation they were given, Soderbergh said, was: “We don’t think Ben Solo could be alive.” And that was the end of it.
Driver followed that guidance, revealing last October that Disney executives — specifically Alan Horn and Bob Iger — rejected the idea on story grounds. He shared what he knew, but avoided offering personal commentary, exactly as Soderbergh advised.
Soderbergh admitted he was deeply disappointed. After years of work, he felt he had already “made the movie in his head,” only for the project to be shut down before even reaching budget discussions. The director described the situation as “insane” and expressed frustration that no one would ever see the story they crafted.
With Lucasfilm now under the leadership of Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan — and with Josh D’Amaro set to take over Disney as CEO — some fans wonder whether the Kylo Ren concept could be revived in a new era. For now, though, the project remains one of the most intriguing “what ifs” in modern Star Wars history.
What fans can look forward to is the next wave of Star Wars films, beginning with The Mandalorian & Grogu in May 2026, followed by Star Wars: Starfighter in 2027. But for those who hoped to see Adam Driver return as Ben Solo one last time, Soderbergh’s advice — and the studio’s decision — may be the final word.
Read also: Radcliffe’s Surprising Message to New Harry Potter Star