I Think Star Wars Should Absolutely Bring Back Adam Driver’s Ben Solo

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Star Wars fans are expressing their disappointment about the cancellation of the movie The Hunt for Ben Solo. Since the conclusion of the last Star Wars trilogy, the franchise has shifted its focus to TV series on Disney+, leaving a gap in theatrical releases. By the time The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives next year, it will have been seven years since a Star Wars movie was in cinemas. There’s also been no update on the planned “New Jedi Order” film, announced in 2023, leaving fans wondering about the future of the series on the big screen.

It’s now clear why Lucasfilm has had trouble deciding what to do with Star Wars. Their initial plan was a film called The Hunt for Ben Solo, which would have brought Adam Driver’s character back to life in a mysterious storyline. A complete script was written by Steven Soderbergh, approved by Lucasfilm, and even had a budget and scheduled start date. However, Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman cancelled the project, leaving the future of Star Wars uncertain ever since.

Ben Solo’s Return Is the Logical Next Step For Star Wars

It’s understandable why Iger and Bergman were hesitant. The Rise of Skywalker already included a very controversial character resurrection, and Lucasfilm was now considering bringing another character back to life. The script had been developed while Bob Chapek was CEO of Disney, but with Iger returning, he clearly wasn’t comfortable with continuing this storyline.

Unlike the confusing return of Palpatine in the final Skywalker film, the story of Ben Solo’s return appears to be well-developed and thoughtfully explained within the script. While some executives worried about bringing a character back from the dead, the groundwork laid in The Hunt for Ben Solo suggests a more convincing and satisfying narrative. Ultimately, it’s the storyteller’s job to make such a return believable, and those concerns seem overblown.

Ben Solo’s Death Leaves the Skywalker Saga Feeling Unfinished

The way these deaths happen in the story is also very different. Palpatine’s first death felt like a natural conclusion to the original trilogy, capped off by Darth Vader’s redemption in an iconic scene. However, Ben Solo’s death felt like a repeat of the ending of Return of the Jedi, even though Lucasfilm says the kiss between Rey and Ben was meant to show appreciation. It honestly feels like Ben died just to mirror events from the original trilogy, rather than because it made sense for the story.

Looking at Ben Solo’s death through the story of his mother, Princess Leia, is deeply tragic. Leia gave up training as a Jedi because she foresaw his death, yet he still died, making all her sacrifices feel meaningless. While it fits the overall Star Wars theme that giving in to fear has consequences, it doesn’t offer a particularly happy or satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker family’s story.

Without Ben Solo’s return, Rey is all that’s left of Leia’s life’s work. The New Republic, which Leia devoted herself to building, was destroyed. Her marriage to Han fell apart, and he was already gone. Now, her son, Ben, is also dead. Rey is the only one remaining, a young woman Leia guided for a short time. The ending of The Rise of Skywalker feels surprisingly sad, and it’s strange that the writers don’t seem to have realized how bleak it is. If Ben had come back, Leia would have a much stronger and more hopeful legacy.

Ben Solo’s Resurrection Is A Chance For Star Wars To Grow & Change

The story of finding Ben Solo could have been a satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga. Considering Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side trying to defeat death, it would have been poetic if Star Wars showed that true resurrection comes from the light – from love and selflessness. Ben Solo could have become a symbol of hope, offering a neat and heartwarming resolution to the story.

Bringing Ben Solo back would be truly exciting because it would allow Star Wars to explore fresh territory. While Darth Vader’s redemption was legendary, the idea of finding redemption through death has become a common and less impactful storyline. It’s far more compelling to consider a Ben Solo who was manipulated by the dark side, not someone who willingly chose it, and who now has to face the repercussions of his past.

It’s hard to think about bringing back the story of Ben Solo without considering how it would affect Rey. The unique connection between Rey and Ben – the Force Dyad – was a promising idea in The Rise of Skywalker, but Ben’s death cut that potential short. If Ben were brought back, it would open up opportunities to delve deeper into their unusual bond and even explore the possibility of a romantic relationship between Jedi.

Both Driver and Soderbergh feel the controversy around The Hunt for Ben Solo has died down, allowing them to finally discuss it. Hopefully, the strong negative reaction from Star Wars fans – who appear unusually united – will push Disney to reconsider the storyline. Reviving Ben Solo seems like the best path forward for a franchise that’s currently facing challenges, potentially revitalizing the entire galaxy far, far away. Iger and Bergman misstepped with this decision, and it needs to be corrected.

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2025-11-15 01:42