Kylo Ren is useless and so is Adam Driver’s thought for a Ben Solo “Star Wars” film.
The Oscar-nominated actor says he spent two years growing a film that centered his character — the son of Princess-turned-Gen. Leia Organa and Han Solo — set after the occasions of “The Rise of Skywalker.” Disney, nonetheless, finally shut it down.
“I all the time was curious about doing one other ‘Star Wars,’” Driver, who portrayed the dark-side warrior within the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, advised the Related Press. “I had been speaking about doing one other one since 2021. Kathleen [Kennedy, Lucasfilm president,] had reached out. I all the time mentioned: With an awesome director and an awesome story, I’d be there in a second. I beloved that character and beloved enjoying him.”
The “Ferrari” actor detailed how he approached filmmaker Steven Soderbergh together with his thought after feeling there was some unfinished enterprise for Kylo Ren. Born Ben Solo, the grandson of Anakin Skywalker was coaching to develop into a Jedi underneath his Uncle Luke earlier than being seduced by the darkish facet. When he’s launched in “The Drive Awakens,” Kylo Ren is a First Order warlord following in Darth Vader’s footsteps, however he finally finds redemption after sacrificing himself in “The Rise of Skywalker.”
However when he joined the sequel trilogy, Driver had envisioned a distinct arc for the character. They developed an concept that “was actually cool. … However it’s no extra, so I can lastly discuss it.”
Soderbergh and Rebecca Blunt had outlined a narrative that they finally pitched to Kennedy, Lucasfilm Vice President Carrie Beck and Chief Inventive Officer Dave Filoni. They then tapped filmmaker Scott Z. Burns to put in writing a script that Driver described as “one of many coolest [expletive] scripts I had ever been part of.”
Based on the “Megalopolis” actor, Lucasfilm “beloved the thought” for the film, which was then titled “The Hunt for Ben Solo” and would have been made with the identical character-driven spirit and handmade really feel of the unique “Star Wars” movies.
Sadly, the higher-ups at Disney weren’t as enthusiastic due to one little element: the character’s destiny within the sequel movies.
“We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman they usually mentioned no,” Driver mentioned. “They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that.”
“I actually loved making the film in my head,” Soderbergh mentioned in a press release to the Related Press. “I’m simply sorry the followers gained’t get to see it.” (Based on AP, representatives for Disney and Lucasfilm declined remark.)
Followers could not be capable of see Driver’s Ben Solo film, however “Star Wars” will likely be again in theaters quickly. Jon Favreau’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which picks up the story of the Disney+ collection “The Mandalorian,” is slated for a Might 22 launch. Shawn Levy’s “Star Wars: Starfighter,” starring Ryan Gosling, is scheduled to be launched Might 28, 2027.
Additionally in numerous phases of improvement are a movie directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, which can see the return of Daisy Ridley as Rey, a James Mangold-directed film exploring the origins of the Drive and a trilogy from “X-Males” filmmaker Simon Kinberg.
