For a sequence constructed on legacy, redemption, and surprising returns, it is no shock that one of the intriguing unrealized Star Wars tasks refuses to vanish quietly. The Hunt for Ben Solo has been proposed as a sequel centered round Kylo Ren. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerit could have been rejected as soon as, however new feedback and behind-the-scenes particulars counsel the concept is not buried.
And in accordance with adam driverit was one of the thrilling scripts he had ever learn.
Adam Driver’s Secret Sequel Plan
After the conclusion of the Skywalker Saga, Driver quietly started growing the continuation of Ben Solo’s story. Teaming up with the director steven soderbergh The pitch with screenwriter Scott Z. Burns reportedly explored how Ben survived and what redemption actually seems to be like past sacrifice within the ultimate act.
Since then, Driver has spoken brazenly about his ardour for the venture.
“This was one of many biggest scripts I’ve ever labored on,” Driver stated of the movie upon its launch. “It wasn’t about undoing something. It was about penalties. It was about asking how a lot redemption actually prices.”
This concentrate on the theme reportedly satisfied key creators. lucas movie To help that concept. This story was not meant to be a easy comeback story. As a substitute, it could have leaned into the religious mythology of Star Wars and the concept the Drive does not work throughout the regular guidelines of life and loss of life.
Driver additionally acknowledged that the movie is deeply drawn by characters. “Ben was by no means meant to be easy,” he defined. “There was all the time extra on the market, and we needed to discover it in a means that felt earned.”
Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) “The Drive Awakens” [credit: Disney Pictures]
Why did Disney say no?
Regardless of the inventive enthusiasm, the pitch finally stalled on the govt stage. When submitted to higher administration disneytogether with the CEO Bob Iger and co-chairman alan bergmanconsiderations reportedly centered on the credibility of Ben Solo surviving his obvious loss of life.
From a company perspective, the Skywalker Saga has concluded. Reopening got here with monetary and narrative dangers. The motive force readily admitted his hesitation.
“I can perceive why individuals have been cautious,” he says. “However Star Wars has all the time been about massive modifications.”
He isn’t incorrect. The sequence has introduced again characters earlier than, typically in additional controversial methods. For a lot of followers, Ben Solo’s survival would have felt in step with the story’s lengthy redemption arc and themes of Drive mysticism.
Why tales come to life
In current feedback, Kathleen Kennedy It spurred hypothesis that beforehand shelved concepts wouldn’t be completely off the desk. Kennedy emphasised that Lucasfilm continues to revisit ideas relying on timing and inventive course.
That is necessary. The Star Wars franchise is presently in a interval of recalibration, with new movies and sequence reshaping its future. In that context, a character-driven story about Ben Solo in search of redemption might be a pure match for a broader thematic revival.
The motive force himself didn’t shut the door.
“I do not assume this story is over,” he stated. “Whether or not it is this model or some other model, I believe there’s nonetheless one thing highly effective there.”
For now, The Hunt for Ben Solo stays an attention-grabbing “what if” story. However in a very empty galaxy, the concept of Ben Solo returning yet another time feels extra like unfinished enterprise than fantasy.
