The Star Wars universe is once again dominating headlines—not for a film release, but for a major behind-the-scenes controversy that’s lighting up fan forums and industry chatter alike.
Veteran director Steven Soderbergh has publicly slammed Disney’s decision to cancel The Hunt for Ben Solo, a highly anticipated Star Wars spinoff that would have focused on Adam Driver’s iconic character Kylo Ren after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. According to reports, the project had been in development for over two and a half years, with Soderbergh, Driver, and screenwriter Rebecca Blunt collaborating on a character-driven story that promised a deeper exploration of Ben Solo’s fate.
Soderbergh described the cancellation as “insane,” revealing that the screenplay was completed and even submitted, but was abruptly shelved by Disney executives—despite enthusiastic support from Lucasfilm leadership. Fans have since rallied behind the project, launching social media campaigns urging the studio to revive it and denouncing the decision as a missed opportunity to expand Star Wars lore in a bold new direction.
The backlash highlights the deep connection audiences have with the franchise’s characters and the ongoing debate about how far Star Wars storytelling should evolve beyond nostalgia and legacy heroes. With other major projects like The Mandalorian and Grogu set for release in 2026 and new series such as Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord on the horizon, this cancellation has fueled passionate discussion about the franchise’s creative direction—and what fans want to see next.