Steven Soderbergh Calls Disney's Ben Solo Movie Cancellation "Insane" After 2.5 Years of Work

Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh says Disney's reason for cancelling the Ben Solo movie, that he "could not be alive," is "insane." This is after he and Adam Driver worked on it for 2.5 years.
By Newsroom | Movies, Star Wars |

Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has expressed significant disappointment and calls the decision by Disney to cancel a planned Star Wars movie focusing on the character Ben Solo "insane" and "frustrating." Soderbergh, along with actor Adam Driver, reportedly spent two and a half years developing the project, titled "The Hunt for Ben Solo," before it was ultimately shelved by the studio. The primary stated reason for the cancellation, according to Soderbergh, was Disney's belief that Ben Solo could not be alive, a rationale Soderbergh finds perplexing given the franchise's history.

Project Development and Studio Rejection

The proposed Ben Solo film was in development for approximately two and a half years, with Steven Soderbergh, Adam Driver, and writer Rebecca Blunt actively working on it. Soderbergh described the effort as "free work" for himself and Driver, highlighting the significant investment of time and creative energy. Despite this sustained development, the project reportedly "hit a wall" at Disney.

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  • Soderbergh stated the reason given for cancellation was: "We don’t think Ben Solo could be alive."

  • He indicated that he advised Adam Driver not to "editorialize or speculate about the why" when discussing the project publicly.

Frustration Over Wasted Effort

Soderbergh has voiced his frustration regarding the amount of time dedicated to the "The Hunt for Ben Solo" project, only for it to be dismissed by Disney. He characterized the situation as deeply disappointing for all involved.

  • The filmmaker emphasized that there was "a kernel of a good idea" in their concept.

  • He also noted that fans of the franchise have expressed their own dissatisfaction with the cancellation.

Contradiction with Star Wars History

Soderbergh's criticism points to a perceived inconsistency in Disney's decision-making, particularly in light of the Star Wars franchise's own established practice of resurrecting characters. He suggests that the idea of Ben Solo being unable to be alive as a disqualifying factor seems "silly" when contrasted with previous instances within the Star Wars universe.

  • The Star Wars saga includes numerous examples of characters returning from apparent death or absence.

  • This history makes Disney's stated reasoning for the Ben Solo film's cancellation appear questionable to Soderbergh.

Fan Reaction and Project Significance

The cancellation of "The Hunt for Ben Solo" has also garnered attention from Star Wars fans, who have reportedly voiced their own disappointment. Soderbergh indicated that the project was a significant endeavor that involved considerable creative input.

  • Fans have been upset since actor Adam Driver initially mentioned the project's cancellation in October.

  • There was a fan campaign last year advocating for the unrealized "Star Wars: The Hunt for Ben Solo."

Official Statements and Unanswered Questions

While Soderbergh has provided insight into the situation, the precise internal deliberations and decision-making processes at Disney regarding "The Hunt for Ben Solo" remain undisclosed. Soderbergh’s account focuses on the direct feedback he received and his interpretation of the studio’s rationale.

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  • The film’s development was alongside Adam Driver and writer Rebecca Blunt.

  • The project involved a script, potentially by Scott Z. Burns, though this detail requires further substantiation.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Steven Soderbergh call the Disney decision to cancel the Ben Solo movie "insane"?
Soderbergh said he and Adam Driver spent two and a half years developing the "The Hunt for Ben Solo" movie. He called the cancellation "insane" because Disney's reason was that they "don't think Ben Solo could be alive."
Q: How long did Steven Soderbergh and Adam Driver work on the Ben Solo movie before it was cancelled?
They worked on the project for about two and a half years. Soderbergh described this time as "free work" for himself and Driver.
Q: What reason did Disney give for cancelling the Ben Solo movie?
The main reason given to Soderbergh was Disney's belief that the character Ben Solo could not be alive. Soderbergh found this reason confusing given the history of the Star Wars franchise.
Q: How have fans reacted to the cancellation of the Ben Solo movie?
Fans have also expressed disappointment about the cancellation. There was even a fan campaign last year asking for the "Star Wars: The Hunt for Ben Solo" movie to be made.