In terms of the Star Wars fandom, “thousands and thousands of voices all of the sudden cried out in terror” in response to the information that Adam Driver’s pitch for a Ben Solo spin-off film was rejected by Disney. For thus many causes, it is a enormous missed alternative for the Star Wars franchise, particularly with Lucasfilm making ready to usher in a return to the massive display screen.
One of many central characters of Disney’s sequel trilogy, Adam Driver performed Ben Solo/Kylo Ren, the corrupted son of Han Solo and Princess Leia who had fallen to the darkish facet, having destroyed Luke Skywalker’s Jedi academy earlier than serving Supreme Chief Snoke and The First Order.
Though the sequels ended with Ben Solo’s sacrifice and a redemption again to the sunshine, it appears Driver had a plan for the beloved character to be revisited together with his personal Star Wars spin-off.
Adam Driver Needed To Come Again To Star Wars… & He Had A Pitch
In keeping with Adam Driver himself in an interview with The Related Press’ Jake Coyle, a pitch and script had been developed for 2 years with the assist of Lucasfilm heads Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni. Director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Erin Brokovich, Logan Fortunate) was introduced on, as was screenwriter Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum, Contagion).
Apparently, The Hunt For Ben Solo would have been set after the occasions of The Rise of Skywalker, as Driver felt there have been nonetheless unresolved parts to Ben Solo’s story and redemption arc (and it may well simply be argued that that is true).
Nevertheless, it appears as if the pitch was instantly shut down by Walt Disney Firm CEO Bob Iger and Disney Leisure’s co-chair Alan Bergman, who have been unable to get previous the truth that Ben Solo gave his life to save lots of Rey Skywalker’s on the finish of Episode IX.
Adam Driver’s Ben Solo Deserved To Return
Out of all of the sequel trilogy characters, Kylo Ren/Ben Solo had essentially the most untapped potential by far.
Ben Solo giving his life to save lots of Rey was a serious act of redemption on the finish of The Rise of Skywalker. Nevertheless, this redemption was very rushed, giving Ben not practically as a lot time as he ought to have been given to reconcile his darkness, not to mention proceed to reside with an ongoing redemption arc.
Even earlier than this information, it had lengthy been argued that Ben’s story ought to have continued, quite than echoing his grandfather’s journey a lot that he too wasn’t given the possibility to reside together with his newfound redemption, similar to Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader.
As a substitute, Ben Solo ought to have been allowed to develop into the person his father and mom believed he might be, honoring their legacies quite than persevering with to meet the darkish legacy of Darth Vader.
Exploring Ben Solo past his corruption as Kylo Ren may have additionally made up for the sequels’ greatest wrestle, which was a failure to steadiness nostalgia and originality. For instance, Ben’s post-redemption story may have proven what a brand new sort of Jedi may seem like with Rey by his facet: attaining a brand new steadiness within the Drive collectively.
With out query, Iger and Bergman’s incapability to reconcile Ben Solo’s loss of life appears like an absurd cause to close down what may have been an thrilling and extremely anticipated spin-off for one of many sequels’ most beloved characters, who constantly gave among the finest performances throughout all three motion pictures with fascinating dynamics throughout.
In any case, that is Star Wars we’re speaking about, the place numerous mystical technique of resurrection are simple to come back by, not to mention the truth that the veil between life and loss of life on the planet the place Ben Solo died (Exegol) is canonically skinny.
It is also value declaring that Ben Solo’s distinctive bond with Rey as a uncommon Drive dyad granted them each uniquely highly effective Drive skills able to transcending each time and house. In no way ought to Ben Solo’s loss of life have been the deal-breaker that stored his spin-off from getting made.
It Seems Like Ben Solo ISN’T Coming Again
Sadly, all indicators are sadly pointing to Star Wars leaving Ben Solo behind.
There’s nothing remotely like a Ben Solo spin-off when taking a look at Lucasfilm’s upcoming slate of movies past Daisy Ridley’s New Jedi Order film. Whereas it is set after The Rise of Skywalker and stated to be centered on Rey Skywalker and her efforts to rebuild the Jedi of the longer term, there have not been any reviews a few Ben Solo cameo (Drive ghost or in any other case).
Likewise, Lucasfilm’s different motion pictures embody The Mandalorian & Grogu in 2026, Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter releasing in 2027, which is claimed to be starring a forged of brand-new post-sequel trilogy characters, in addition to a Daybreak of the Jedi film from director James Mangold set within the timeline’s historic previous.
Nevertheless, that’s to not say that followers aren’t interested by a Ben Solo spin-off (fairly the alternative). Because the information broke, the web has seen the Star Wars fandom going loopy, lamenting Disney’s rejection and demanding that the Ben Solo venture be picked again up by Lucasfilm.
Who is aware of? Maybe this might be Adam Driver’s Deadpool second when Ryan Reynolds leaked check footage amid rejections from Fox. Our fingers are definitely crossed, as Kylo Ren/Ben Solo stays probably the most fashionable Star Wars characters to come back out of your entire sequel trilogy.
- Died
-
Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise Of Skywalker
- Alliance
-
Jedi, First Order
- Race
-
Human