In a recent sit-down with BK Mag, filmmaker Steven Soderbergh opened up about a high-profile “Star Wars” venture that ultimately failed to materialize.
The project in question was a standalone feature centered on Ben Solo, a film that lead actor Adam Driver first alluded to late last year.
Soderbergh revealed that Disney pulled the plug on the production without even inquiring about the potential budget requirements.
“We were all incredibly disappointed. It represented two and a half years of unpaid development for myself, Adam, and [screenwriter] Rebecca Blunt. When Adam and I discussed how to handle this publicly, I told him, ‘Look, don’t sugarcoat it or speculate on the motives. Just state exactly what transpired, because we’re all aware of the situation.’ The official reason [for Disney’s rejection] was: ‘We don’t view Ben Solo as being alive.’ That was the end of the conversation. There wasn’t much to be done besides moving forward,” Soderbergh recalled.
Last October, Driver clarified that while the project had been in active discussion since 2021, it was eventually vetoed by Disney leadership under Bob Iger. Driver originally brought Ben Solo to life in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy from 2015 to 2019.
Soderbergh’s latest effort, the comedy “The Christophers,” is slated for an international theatrical release this coming spring.
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The Ben Solo Project
21.10.2025
