“The Hunt for Ben Solo” has gained significant momentum following Adam Driver’s report
Ever since actor Adam Driver broke the news that he and filmmaker Steven Soderbergh had been secretly developing a new Star Wars film with the working title The Hunt for Ben Solo, fans have organized rallies, put up billboards in Times Square, signed petitions, and flown banners over Disney Studios in an attempt to persuade them to give it a second look.
Artist Audrey Estok’s beautifully designed poster for ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’. Audrey is a freelance illustrator and an avid supporter of Adam Driver. Follow Audrey on the X platform.
Developed over two years under the codename “Quiet Leaves,” the script revealed by Driver back in October 2025, intended to follow Ben Solo’s journey after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. This news comes via film writer Jake Coyle on X.
Driver, along with director Steven Soderbergh, eventually pitched their Star Wars script to Disney, but executives, including CEO Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, said, “We took it to [them] and they said no.” Driver said, “They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive (after his death scene in The Rise of Skywalker).” Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, along with Dave Filoni and other top creatives, reportedly “loved” the script and gave it a full creative stamp of approval, but Iger and Bergman had the final say and ultimately decided against it. The script written by Scott Z. Burns was one of the rare instances of a finished Lucasfilm script being turned down by Disney corporate.
Actor Adam Driver and director Steven Soderbergh developed the cancelled ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ peoject.
In the aftermath of it all, both Driver and Soderbergh expressed disappointment over the decision, but the director sought answers as to why it was rejected. The director asked Kennedy whether a finished script greenlit by Lucasfilm had ever been rejected by Disney executives. Soderbergh wrote on his BlueSky account.
“I asked Kathy Kennedy if Lucasfilm had ever turned in a finished movie script for greenlight to Disney and had it rejected. She said no; this was a first.”
Driver and Soderbergh have continued to share details publicly about how it all went down, with both being vocal about the missed opportunity.
Times Square banner in support of ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ film. Credit: Screen Rant
Fans have not backed down, and campaigns are still ongoing with the desire to see the proposed film become a reality. One of those campaigners was behind The Hunt for Ben Solo’s Times Square billboard ad. The avid Star Wars fan who goes by the name B.D. Neagle recently told Empire for the magazine’s upcoming February 2026 issue why she joined the movement to resurrect Driver’s beloved character.
She “knew [she] had to do something,” she told the magazine. “I wanted to make a big deal about it — to show how much the fans want this movie. Then I thought: ‘I wonder how much a billboard costs…’”
The billboard read, “For Adam, ‘No One’s Ever Really Gone,’ Hope Lives, Ben Is Alive! #THBS,” using one of Luke Skywalker’s quotes from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Originally reported by Collider
Infamous ‘Save Ben Solo’ plane banner flyover of Disney Studios. Credit: Collider
Neagle stated that the cost of her ad in Time Square wasn’t substantial. She also mentioned that she saw the plane banner that flew over the Disney studios, with the hashtag ‘SAVE #THEHUNTFORBENSOLO’ and thought: “That’s the right idea. We need to make noise about this.”
She went on to say that she’s an advocate for Driver and the way he connects with the audience. She supports his portrayal of Ben Solo and Kylo Ren.
“[Driver] is such a great actor, and people loved that character. Although he was a villain, he felt human; relatable. After his redemption, we never got to see who Ben Solo really was — and [The Hunt for Ben Solo] would have probably explored that. It’s devastating.”
Although Neagle understands the mixed fan and critical reaction to The Last Jedi, she believes Ben’s story was the one that many could agree on.
“We’re usually at each other’s throats. There’s not much we all agree on. But I’ve seen people who hated The Last Jedi [campaigning] for The Hunt for Ben Solo. We all agree on this one — which is why I can’t believe [Disney] said no,” Neagle continued.
“I hope we’re making some difference. Now [that fans] know this project exists, we’re not going to shut up,” Neagle told Empire.
Campaign for Ben Solo. Photo credit: @RebeccaSeal Billboard credit: @vividlittlevox
Ben Solo campaigns have also popped up around cities even using the idea of missing posters showing images of Driver’s face, with the words ‘HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?’ On top of personal information, it notes that the person was last seen five years and 10 months ago, referring to the release date of The Rise of Skywalker, which occurred in December 2019.
While there is certainly a dedicated following among some fans (We hear you #Reylo fans) for a narrative arc centered on Ben Solo, Disney’s current Star Wars storytelling direction remains focused on new characters and timelines. The potential for future content exploring Ben Solo is definitely on the table. Will it be in books or other media? We don’t know at this time. One thing we do know for sure is that Disney is on notice, and that the fans have spoken. They want the goods. The ball’s in your court, Disney.
Daisy Ridley (Rey) and Adam Driver (Ben Solo) in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’. Credit: Lucasfilm
May the Force be with you….
The backbone of ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ campaign is you lovely #Reylo fans. We won’t ever forget that.
Next Level Media Plus | Outerworld and StarWarsGalaxyNews 
Leave a comment