Kathleen Kennedy Hints Ben Solo Film Could Still Happen
Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy has reignited speculation about a Ben Solo-centred Star Wars film, suggesting the project could be revived if someone is bold enough to champion it.
There’s a fresh glimmer of hope for those longing to see Adam Driver return as Ben Solo. The much-discussed project, once thought to be shelved for good, may not be as dead as previously assumed. Back in October 2025, Driver revealed that he, Steven Soderbergh, and Scott Z. Burns had pitched a post-Rise of Skywalker story focused on the conflicted Star Wars figure. Despite the initial rejection from Disney’s top brass, the idea appears to be lingering in the wings.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, speaking with Deadline, was careful not to overstep, but her words have certainly set tongues wagging.
“I've got to tread a bit carefully here. [James] Mangold and Beau Willimon wrote an incredible script, but it is definitely breaking the mold, and it's on hold,”
she remarked, before adding,
“Taika has turned in a script that I think is hilarious and great. It's not just my decision, especially when I've got a foot out the door. Donald Glover has turned in a script. And as you have read, Steve Soderbergh and Adam Driver turned in a script written by Scott Burns. It was just great. Anything's a possibility if somebody's willing to take a risk.”
Industry Buzz and Creative Uncertainty
While the fate of the Ben Solo project remains uncertain, Kennedy’s comments have reignited speculation. The mention of multiple scripts from high-profile creatives—James Mangold, Taika Waititi, Donald Glover—suggests a period of flux at Lucasfilm, with several projects vying for attention. Kennedy’s own impending departure adds another layer of unpredictability to the studio’s future slate.
It’s not just the fans who are eager for more of Han and Leia’s wayward son. Rian Johnson, who directed The Last Jedi, has openly expressed his support for the film’s production. Daisy Ridley, who played Rey, also weighed in, telling IGN,
“I do love when there is a collective of positivity. The way the internet seems to have rallied to try and get it to happen. I think it's fantastic for us all. It's good for us to all be united about something in a really positive way. Obviously, everyone knows he was a very popular character, but it was also lovely to think, 'Wow, people really, really care and want this,'”
she said.
“I just... I like it. I like when people join forces – excuse the pun – from all around the world, all different sorts of people.”
Fandom’s Persistent Campaign
The groundswell of support for a Ben Solo film has been hard to ignore. Online communities have rallied, petitions have circulated, and social media campaigns have kept the conversation alive. The character’s enduring popularity, coupled with the creative pedigree behind the proposed script, has only fuelled the movement further.
For now, the project remains in limbo, but Kennedy’s remarks have ensured it’s far from forgotten. As the Star Wars universe continues to expand, the possibility of Ben Solo’s return lingers—waiting, perhaps, for the right moment and the right risk-taker to bring it to life.