Star Wars Fans Fund New York Billboards to Bring Back Ben Solo

10 Jan at 09:47 Comment Views: 33

A dedicated fan-led movement to revive the development of the film The Hunt for Ben Solo is rapidly gaining traction.

Last year, Adam Driver—who portrayed the complex Kylo Ren, or Ben Solo, in the Star Wars sequel trilogy—revealed in an interview that he had spent several years collaborating with acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh on a screenplay titled The Hunt for Ben Solo. Conceived as a direct follow-up to The Rise of Skywalker, the narrative was intended to explore the character’s journey toward redemption.

Driver characterized the script as “one of the most compelling” he had ever encountered in his career. While Lucasfilm initially gave the project its blessing, Disney’s executive leadership, headed by Bob Iger, ultimately decided not to move forward. Soderbergh later confirmed that this was a rare instance where Disney rejected a script that had already been fully developed and approved by Lucasfilm.

Upon learning of the project’s cancellation, fans mobilized to demand its reinstatement, launching petitions, social media campaigns, and plastering “Save Ben Solo” posters across the globe to catch Disney’s eye. The movement has now reached a new milestone: supporters have funded two massive billboards in New York City’s Times Square. One is positioned adjacent to the flagship Disney Store, while the other sits above the Pele Store.

Both advertisements feature the striking silhouette of Ben Solo paired with the message: “May 2026 bring hope back to the galaxy and bring him home,” alongside the viral hashtag #TheHuntForBenSolo.

Much of this momentum is credited to Brianna Jones, a writer and voice actress who is a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast. Her efforts began last October when she started placing posters around Los Angeles, an act that quickly inspired fans worldwide to take up the cause.

While Disney has yet to officially respond, Jones told IGN that the campaign has no intention of slowing down:

“What fuels our belief in success? It is our sheer enthusiasm and unwavering resolve. We are committed to making this movement so undeniable that it simply cannot be overlooked. Disney has already invested roughly three million dollars into this script and is prepared to spend 24 billion on content this year. We hope our efforts encourage them to open their imaginations—and their resources—as wide as we have. We recognize the magnitude of what we are asking; a project of this scale involves massive costs for production and marketing. However, if we can demonstrate that the demand is there, they might reconsider. That is our hope. And isn’t hope exactly what ‘Star Wars’ is built upon?”

Brianna Jones

Jones concluded by noting that the group possesses “creativity, capital, and time,” stating that her ultimate goal is straightforward: to one day sit in a cinema with a bucket of popcorn and watch The Hunt for Ben Solo debut on the big screen.

Source: iXBT.games

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