After Adam Driver revealed a Kylo Ren-centered “Star Wars” movie was turned down by Disney, fans flocked to social media, lambasting the decision as the “biggest missed opportunity ever” by the entertainment conglomerate.
The outrage came about after both Driver and director Steven Soderbergh confirmed they had collaborated on an idea for a solo Kylo Ren movie, titled the The Hunt for Ben Solo,” but it was nixed given executives couldn’t figure out how Driver’s character was still alive after the events of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
This, understandably, drew ire from dedicated fans, since the “Star Wars” franchise hasn’t been afraid to bring back characters from the dead in past films.
“It’s okay for Star Wars to bring back Emperor Palpatine or to use digital de-aging technology to bring back Mark Hamill or use digital technologies to bring back Carrie Fisher even though she died but god forbid a character is dead,” one passionate fan expressed on X. “Where was this energy for DARTH MAUL?
Another chimed in, “I’m sorry I can’t stop cracking up at the idea of Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh going to Bob Iger and offering to make a cheap Kylo Ren movie and Bob Iger hitting them with ‘no, we can’t do that. he died.’ Where was that energy for Emperor Palpatine, Bob?”
Other fans took umbrage at the general idea of passing on a “Star Wars” movie from a filmmaker as renowned as Soderbergh, who boasts 14 Academy Award nominations and 5 wins. He’s best known for directing hit movies like “Erin Brockovich,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” and “Traffic.”
“IF YOU HAVE SODERBERGH WILLING AND EXCITED TO MAKE A STAR WARS FILM STARRING ADAM DRIVER AND YOU DON’T MAKE IT THEN YOU DESERVE AND HAVE INVITED EVERY GOD—N FAILURE THE STUPID MOUSE EXECS HAVE HAD,” another fan noted on X. “Biggest missed opportunity ever, morons.”
A second added: “Oh it might actually be over for Bob Iger, holy s–t. Who nixes a Soderbergh Star Wars movie?? That brings the Skywalker line back to life?? That Adam Driver called one of the coolest f–king scripts he’s ever been a part of???????!?!”
This news was especially distressing for fans as it came amid a period where numerous “Star Wars” projects have failed to get off the ground. In fact, Disney has not released a theatrical film in the franchise since the 2019 debut of “The Rise of Skywalker. Case in point, Patty Jenkins’ “Rogue Squadron” and Taika Waititi’s unnamed entry, perennially sit on the shelf.
You can see more reactions below.
