Steven Soderbergh on Disney's Decision to Scrap the Unmade 'Star Wars' Sequel: 'We Were All Frustrated'
The Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh expressed his frustration over Disney's decision to scrap the long-awaited 'Star Wars' sequel, 'The Hunt for Ben Solo'. Soderbergh, who had been working on the project for nearly three years, revealed that he and his team were left feeling disappointed and disheartened after Disney passed on the project, despite Lucasfilm's enthusiasm.
In a recent Q&A session, Soderbergh opened up about the experience, stating, 'I thought the next two years of my life were going to be spent making a Star Wars movie.' He continued, 'It was no surprise that Kathleen Kennedy was frustrated. We were all frustrated. It was two and a half years of free work for me and my team.'
Soderbergh emphasized the importance of transparency, saying, 'Do not editorialize or speculate about the why. Just say what happened, because all we know is what happened.' He revealed that the stated reason for Disney's decision was, 'We don't think Ben Solo could be alive.' Despite the setback, Soderbergh found solace in his own vision of the film, stating, 'I'd kind of made the movie in my head, and just felt bad that nobody else was going to get to see it.'
The character of Ben Solo, the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, and the grandson of Anakin Skywalker, played a pivotal role in the Star Wars sequel trilogy as the villainous Kylo Ren. Although the character had a redemption arc in 'The Rise of Skywalker', Adam Driver and Soderbergh believed there was more to explore. Kathleen Kennedy, in her Lucasfilm exit interview, hinted at the project's uncertain future, stating, 'It was just great. Anything’s a possibility if somebody’s willing to take a risk.'
After Adam Driver revealed the scrapped project in October, fans took to social media to express their disappointment. They organized a campaign to save 'The Hunt for Ben Solo', even flying a plane above Walt Disney Studios with a banner reading, 'SAVE #THEHUNTFORBENSOLO'. This sparked a debate among fans and industry professionals, leaving many to wonder what could have been if Disney had taken a chance on the project.
