Many “Star Wars” fans were disappointed with the ending of “The Rise of Skywalker.” The abrupt death of Ben Solo, formerly Kylo Ren, after he and Rey finally kissed for the first time, had many fans, particularly Reylo shippers, up in arms. Now, they’re likely to get angry all over again, since Ben’s actor Adam Driver recently revealed that there were thoughts about a movie that could have brought Ben back and maybe, just maybe, given him and Rey their happy ending.
The Hunt For Ben Solo: The Star Wars Film that Never Was
In an interview with the Associated Press, where he was promoting his new film, “Father Mother Sister Brother,” Driver mentioned an intriguing “Star Wars” project that never came to be. He said that he worked with Steven Soderbergh for two years to develop a project centered around Ben Solo’s return. Titled “The Hunt for Ben Solo,” it would have been a follow-up to “The Rise of Skywalker,” and Driver called it “one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of.”
Driver went on to say, “We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it. We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman and they said no. They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that.” He added, “I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it.” While Driver didn’t go into plot details, the movie would have presumably involved Ben being resurrected in some way. He might have possibly been reunited with Rey and had to deal with the aftermath of his actions as Kylo Ren.
Should Ben Solo Return?
Kylo Ren/Ben Solo was unquestionably the most complex character in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy. Fans were instantly drawn to his constant conflict between the light side and the dark side, his complicated relationship with Rey, and of course, that awesome flaming cross-shaped lightsaber. After his death in “The Rise of Skywalker,” the rest of the movie doesn’t acknowledge his sacrifice or even his existence, which had many fans raging.
Before “The Rise of Skywalker,” I predicted that Kylo Ren would become Ben Solo again and likely die in a heroic sacrifice. However, I too was disappointed in the death’s execution. The fact that the movie doesn’t acknowledge him after he dies leaves his story feeling incomplete. If there had been a moment of Rey mourning him or an appearance of his Force ghost, then the death could have worked. Instead, the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy feels like it left an important storyline hanging.
Conclusion
It looks like the Disney executives aren’t open to Ben coming back to life, despite how other “Star Wars” characters, such as Emperor Palpatine and Ahsoka Tano, have returned from the dead. Still, we might have hope to see Ben again as a ghost. A new Rey movie has been in development for several years, tentatively titled “New Jedi Order.” If this movie ever actually gets made, it could explore Rey and Ben’s connection as a Force dyad, with Rey still bonded to Ben even after his death. Perhaps that could give his fans the closure they desperately need.
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