This Rejected Star Wars Movie Would’ve Told the Darth Vader Story George Lucas Would Never Do

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Disney’s ownership of Lucasfilm saw many potential Star Wars movies fall through, and one of the most intriguing could have offered something new for the franchise, similar to what Darth Vader once did. Over the past 13 years, numerous projects were cancelled or never made, including Colin Trevorrow’s Episode IX (originally called Duel of the Fates), Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron, and even a film about Jabba the Hutt planned by Guillermo del Toro.

Among the many surprising Star Wars stories that have come to light, one recent reveal stands out: a potential film focused on Ben Solo after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. Adam Driver was set to reprise his role, with Steven Soderbergh directing and Scott Z. Burns writing the script. Lucasfilm approved the project, but Disney ultimately rejected it, believing Ben Solo couldn’t return after his death in the film. Disney pointed to the fact that no character in the Star Wars universe has ever been brought back to life.

The Hunt for Ben Solo Would’ve Been Like Seeing Vader After Return of the Jedi

Originally titled The Hunt for Ben Solo, this planned movie would have followed various groups trying to locate Ben after his survival. Given his power as a Force user and former leader of the First Order, he was a valuable person to find. We don’t know much about the galaxy after The Rise of Skywalker – though future films aim to explore it – so it’s hard to say exactly what the story would have been like. However, it would have continued the legacy of Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker in a way we didn’t get to see.

Kylo Ren, like Darth Vader before him, was a naturally talented Jedi apprentice who turned to the dark side through the influence of Emperor Palpatine. Both characters ultimately returned to the light, sacrificing themselves to defeat the villain and save someone they loved, achieving redemption in the process. Unlike Anakin Skywalker, who had a limited presence as a Force Ghost after Return of the Jedi, and with little further development in the older Expanded Universe stories, Kylo Ren’s story is more fully explored within the new Star Wars sequels.

George Lucas wouldn‘t have brought Darth Vader back from the dead. He considered Vader’s story a completed tragedy – as he stated in a 2008 interview with Total Film, saying, “Once Vader dies, he doesn’t come back to life.” While Lucas had sequel ideas at times and later changed his mind about making more films, he clearly felt Vader’s arc was finished, unlike the situation with Kylo Ren/Ben Solo.

It’s Better If Ben Solo Doesn’t Return (& Anakin Should Be Used Sparingly Too)

As a huge cinema fan, the idea of a film focusing on Ben Solo really excites me. Steven Soderbergh is a brilliant director – a fresh voice for Star Wars, which could be amazing. And Adam Driver? He was incredible as Kylo Ren, bringing so much depth and complexity to the character – he made him feel like more than just a copy of Darth Vader. Plus, he’s said it’s one of the best scripts he’s ever read, and that’s a huge vote of confidence! If this movie ever gets made, I genuinely think it could be something special.

Honestly, I’m not upset that this isn’t moving forward. While I believe the sequels, especially The Rise of Skywalker, could have handled Ben’s character arc better – along with a lot of other things – his story felt complete. There isn’t much left to explore with his character, and it might be good for the franchise to let some characters stay gone.

With Rey adopting the Skywalker name at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, she’s well-positioned to lead a new generation of Jedi and become a hero for today’s fans. While it would be welcome to see Ben Solo’s Force ghost appear if they continue her story, the franchise is likely stronger focusing on fresh ideas. Moving beyond the sequel trilogy opens up exciting possibilities for new characters, stories, settings, and concepts, which is a positive direction for the saga.

It’s great timing that Anakin Skywalker is returning, especially after Hayden Christensen’s appearance in Ahsoka Season 1. He’ll be back for Season 2, likely as a Force Ghost, as seen observing Ahsoka and Sabine. Seeing more of Anakin and Ahsoka’s relationship is a positive, but bringing him back too often could lessen the impact, even though it’s wonderful to see Christensen reprise the role. Integrating his appearances with flashbacks, like those from the Clone Wars, is a smart way to make the most of his return.

Ben Solo has potential for further stories, even beyond the films. We’ve already seen this with comics like The Rise of Kylo Ren, which explored his past. There’s still a lot to explore about the character, and it doesn’t necessarily require bringing him back to life on screen.

All Star Wars movies that were actually made are available to stream on Disney+.

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2025-10-26 15:13