Entertainment · Film · 4 hrs ago
Adam Driver Says Disney’s ‘Hunt for Ben Solo’ Decision Felt ‘Criminal’
Adam Driver says Disney cancelled The Hunt for Ben Solo, a planned Star Wars film he developed with director Steven Soderbergh for about two and a half years.
The story would have followed 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker and focused on Ben Solo, also known as Kylo Ren.
Driver said he was surprised Disney did not pursue the project, given Soderbergh’s involvement, and called the decision “criminal,” or said it felt that way.
The film is officially dead, Driver has said, and he thinks the chance to make it has passed.
Fans responded to news of the project by campaigning for Disney to revive it, including flying a banner over the studio in Burbank and putting messages on Times Square billboards.
Driver said the fan response moved him, though it did not change the outcome.
The decision highlights Driver’s view that studios are increasingly cautious about taking risks and focus on recent box-office results.
Driver is moving on to other work, including an upcoming Disney-owned Marvel film in which he will play Mister Sinister.
Adam Driver called Disney’s decision to scrap the Star Wars sequel The Hunt for Ben Solo “criminal,” or said it felt that way.
Driver spent nearly two and a half years developing the film with director Steven Soderbergh.
The film was planned to take place after 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker and focus on Ben Solo.
Driver said he was moved by fan protests, which included a plane banner and Times Square billboards.
Driver confirmed earlier this month that the film was dead.
- Who
- Adam Driver criticized Disney’s decision. He developed the film with Steven Soderbergh.
- What
- Disney scrapped The Hunt for Ben Solo, a planned Star Wars sequel.
- When
- Driver discussed the decision in an Associated Press interview published in November 2026. He revealed the project in October 2025.
- Where
- The planned film was set after the events of The Rise of Skywalker; a fan banner was flown over Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.
- Why
- Variety reported that Disney executives could not reconcile Ben Solo’s return with his presumed death in The Rise of Skywalker.
Adam Driver
Disney
Project decision
Adam Driver
Driver said the decision felt “criminal” and questioned why the studio would debate making a Star Wars film with Soderbergh.
Disney
Disney scrapped the project; Variety reported executives could not reconcile Ben Solo’s return with his presumed death in The Rise of Skywalker.
Driver said he had been discussing doing another Star Wars film.
Driver and Soderbergh developed The Hunt for Ben Solo.
Driver revealed the project in an interview with the Associated Press.
Fans called for Disney to revive it, including flying a banner over Walt Disney Studios and renting Times Square billboards.
Driver said the film was officially dead.
Driver discussed Disney’s decision and the fan response in an Associated Press interview.
- Project
- The Hunt for Ben Solo
- Developers
- Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh
- Planned setting
- After 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker
- Development period
- Nearly two and a half years
- Fan protest location
- Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, California
- Driver’s description
- Criminal,” or “felt criminal
3 sources
Adam Driver Calls Disney Killing ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ ‘Criminal’: ‘What Are We Debating?’
Adam Driver still kind of can't get over how dumb killing The Hunt For Ben Solo was
Adam Driver Says Disney Killing ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ Felt ‘Criminal’: ‘Steven Soderbergh Wants to Make a “Star Wars” Movie. What Are We Debating?’
What people are saying
For me it was: Steven Soderbergh wants to make a ‘Star Wars’ film. What are we debating?
It’s what it is. It’s criminal. Or it felt criminal.
I was blown away by the response to it. In no way did I think there would be billboards in Times Square.
If they wanted to, fine. But we’re not … It’s not our call. I think the ship has sailed though.