Dave Filoni Dashes Fan Hopes for Ben Solo’s Return

Lucasfilm is not moving forward with The Hunt for Ben Solo, an unproduced project spearheaded by Adam Driver and director Steven Soderbergh designed to continue the character’s storyline after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Speaking at D23, Lucasfilm chief Dave Filoni initially stated that the film is not currently in production before offering a more definitive update on its status.

Driver originated the idea for The Hunt for Ben Solo. Alongside Soderbergh and Rebecca Blunt, he spent nearly two and a half years developing the concept without compensation before Scott Z. Burns was brought in to write the script for $3 million.

Lucasfilm supported the pitch, but Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman rejected the script. Driver stated that the executives did not understand how Ben Solo could have survived the conclusion of The Rise of Skywalker.

Following the project’s cancellation, fans launched campaigns to revive it, creating petitions, putting up posters, and purchasing billboards in Times Square calling on the studio to save the character. These efforts did not return the film to development.

Soderbergh also does not intend to revisit the project. In April 2026, the director dismissed the prospect of restarting development following Filoni’s executive appointment at Lucasfilm. Soderbergh noted that while he does not regret the time spent on the pitch, he views the story as closed. He explained that if the film had been meant to happen, the studio would have entered production already.

Source: iXBT.games