‘The Hunt for Ben Solo‘ Had a Greenlit Script Before Lucasfilm Rejected It, Director Reveals
Los Angeles, CA - A planned Star Wars film centered on Kylo Ren, titled The Hunt for Ben Solo, reached the stage of a completed script submission to Disney for approval before being ultimately rejected, according to director Steven Soderbergh. The revelation, made public this week, marks the first time Lucasfilm has reportedly turned down a fully finished film script for greenlighting.
The project, a collaboration between Soderbergh and actor Adam Driver, explored the backstory of Ben Solo and his descent to the dark side. Driver publicly revealed the project on October 20, 2024, prompting a flurry of discussion among fans. Soderbergh subsequently confirmed the project’s existence and the fact that he had previously concealed its advancement. In a series of messages on October 22, Soderbergh stated, “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!”
This news is significant as it challenges the conventional understanding of Lucasfilm’s development process under Disney. Previously, projects were often reported as stalling during earlier stages of development. The confirmation that a completed script was submitted and rejected suggests a more decisive rejection of the creative direction proposed for The Hunt for Ben Solo. Both Soderbergh and Driver now believe the project is permanently shelved and are no longer bound by any non-disclosure agreements.
Further reporting indicates that a separate Star Wars project pitched by director David Fincher, set between the Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, never progressed beyond initial concepts and conversations with Lucasfilm. This differs from earlier reports suggesting the Fincher project stalled over creative disagreements regarding the final cut.