Fans of the Star Wars saga might soon start imagining what could’ve been — a sequel that brought back one of the franchise’s most complex characters (Adam Driver Star Wars sequel), Kylo Ren. According to actor Adam Driver, who famously portrayed Kylo Ren (a.k.a. Ben Solo), he once pitched a Star Wars sequel that would continue his character’s story after The Rise of Skywalker. Unfortunately, Disney didn’t approve the project — even though Lucasfilm initially loved it.

Adam Driver’s Passion for Kylo Ren’s Story

In an interview with The Associated Press, Driver revealed that the idea started forming back in 2021, when Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy reached out to him. The actor shared that he had always been open to returning to the galaxy far, far away — as long as the story and direction were compelling.

“I had been talking about doing another one since 2021. Kathleen had reached out,” Driver said. “I always said: With a great director and a great story, I’d be there in a second. I loved that character and loved playing him.”

Driver’s proposed sequel, titled The Hunt for Ben Solo, was set after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. The movie would have delved deeper into Kylo Ren’s redemption arc, exploring how Ben Solo might have found peace and meaning after his internal struggle between light and dark.

The Vision: The Hunt for Ben Solo

According to Driver, the story aimed to show what happened after Ben’s supposed death — a bold narrative choice meant to give closure to his emotional journey. Believing that his character’s redemption felt unfinished, Driver wanted to create a story that showed what came next for Ben Solo.

He took the idea to acclaimed filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, who immediately got on board with the concept. Together, they presented the pitch to Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm VP Cary Beck, and Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni. Surprisingly, the Lucasfilm team loved it. They even brought in Scott Z. Burns, known for Contagion and The Report, to begin developing a script.

“We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it,” Driver explained.

Disney Executives Shut Down the Project

Despite strong support from Lucasfilm’s creative team, the project hit a dead end once it reached the top executives at Disney. When Driver and Soderbergh presented the idea to Bob Iger (Disney CEO) and Alan Bergman (Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment), the pair immediately rejected it.

“We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, and they said no,” Driver recalled. “They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that.”

Disney’s leadership reportedly couldn’t justify reviving a character who had died on-screen, arguing that it would undermine the emotional impact of The Rise of Skywalker.

Soderbergh later commented that while he understood their reasoning, he still enjoyed crafting the movie in his imagination — a “film that could have been.”

The Missed Opportunity in the Star Wars Universe

Many Star Wars fans have long felt that Ben Solo’s redemption arc was one of the most compelling storylines in the sequel trilogy. His internal battle between the light and dark sides, paired with his ultimate sacrifice, resonated deeply with audiences.

A continuation of his story — perhaps showing him as a Force spirit or exploring alternate timelines — could have been a fascinating way to expand the Star Wars mythology while providing much-needed emotional closure.

Unfortunately, Disney’s rejection of The Hunt for Ben Solo means that the concept remains one of the many “what if” moments in Star Wars history.

What’s Next for Star Wars Fans?

Even though Adam Driver’s pitch was rejected, the Star Wars universe is still expanding. Fans can look forward to several major releases over the next few years:

• The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)
• Star Wars: Starfighter (2027)
• An untitled Dave Filoni project that will reportedly tie together multiple storylines from The Mandalorian era

As of now, neither Disney nor Lucasfilm has officially commented on the shelved project. Still, Driver’s passion for the role — and his desire to return — gives fans hope that they might one day see Ben Solo back on screen in some form.

Adam Driver’s revelation about The Hunt for Ben Solo shows how deeply he connected with his character — and how much untapped potential still lies within the Star Wars saga. While Disney’s executives may not have seen a future for Kylo Ren, millions of fans around the world certainly still do.

Who knows? In a galaxy as vast and unpredictable as Star Wars, resurrection stories aren’t exactly uncommon. Maybe someday, Ben Solo’s story will rise again.