Lucasfilm president Dave Filoni has confirmed that Disney is not currently developing the scrapped Star Wars film The Hunt for Ben Solo, dampening recent fan hopes surrounding Steven Soderbergh’s proposed return of Kylo Ren at D23 2026.
Speaking after Disney’s Entertainment Showcase, Filoni addressed the project in comments reported by IGN. The question has loomed over Lucasfilm for months, especially as calls for Adam Driver to reprise his role as Ben Solo have intensified.
Filoni’s answer leaves the door closed—for now
Variety inquired about the shelved project following the showcase. Filoni acknowledged that the question was inevitable, stating, “We’re not making that picture right now. That’s all I can say.” He reiterated this sentiment to Deadline, saying, “It’s not here, you won’t find it here. The force is not with us in that regard; I love the love you feel for it.” Filoni’s wording is significant; he did not announce any revival, rewrite, or new project featuring Ben Solo. Lucasfilm’s current stance is that The Hunt for Ben Solo is not in production.
This news will likely disappoint fans who viewed the project as an opportunity to give Driver’s character a more fulfilling arc following Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. However, Filoni’s acknowledgment also indicates that Lucasfilm is aware of the substantial interest surrounding the idea.
The movie that existed in fans’ imaginations—and development
Driver revealed last October that he and director Steven Soderbergh had developed The Hunt for Ben Solo for two years before Disney decided to shelve it. Screenwriter Rebecca Blunt also contributed to the project. Soderbergh later told The Playlist that a revival was unlikely, responding with a definitive “nope” when asked about the film’s potential return.
Soderbergh expressed his frustration, noting that he enjoyed conceptualizing the movie, while Driver mentioned that the project felt real enough to mourn. Even former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy praised the script as “great,” but that did not alter Disney’s decision to set it aside.
This history explains why Filoni’s “not right now” will invite much speculation. Fans have scrutinized every carefully chosen word regarding this film, but the practical interpretation is straightforward: there is no announced path back to a standalone Ben Solo movie.
For more background on Soderbergh’s comments regarding the abandoned concept, watch this .
Lucasfilm’s slate moves forward without Ben Solo
The immediate Star Wars future remains active elsewhere. Following the May premiere of The Mandalorian and Grogu, Disney+ will continue with Ahsoka Season 2 in January 2027. D23 also provided IGN with an early look at the first trailer for the 2027 film Star Wars: Starfighter.
Filoni’s answer may be disappointing for Ben Solo supporters, but it is clearer than the vague silence that previously surrounded this story. The demand for more content featuring the character is evident; what is lacking is a commitment from Lucasfilm to produce it. Until that changes, The Hunt for Ben Solo remains one of modern Star Wars’ most intriguing almost-movies.
Would you prefer Lucasfilm to revive The Hunt for Ben Solo, or do you think Kylo Ren’s story should remain as it ended? Sound off in the comments.
