Adam Driver believes his time playing Kylo Ren in the Star Wars franchise has ended, following Disney’s rejection of a proposed film focused on his character. Appearing on Wednesday’s episode of The Rich Eisen Show, the actor said he did not expect to return, even as he acknowledged fans’ efforts to revive the project.
Asked whether he was finished with the role, Driver answered, “Yeah. It’s over.” He then explained that an attempt to make another film had run into objections over the character’s death. The proposed standalone movie, The Hunt for Ben Solo, would have taken place after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Driver first disclosed the rejected project in October 2025, revealing that he had developed it with Steven Soderbergh, who was attached to direct. In Wednesday’s interview, he described a process spanning several years, including two years of earnest work. Scott Burns and Rebecca Blunt also worked on the screenplay with Driver and Soderbergh.
The actor spoke positively about the script they produced, saying he thought it was very good, but emphasized that the decision to proceed was beyond his control. His account of the development process echoed his earlier comments about wanting to make another Star Wars film and finding support for the concept within Lucasfilm.
When discussing the project last year, Driver said Lucasfilm had welcomed the screenplay and understood the team’s approach. The proposal did not receive the same response when it reached Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman. According to Driver, they rejected it because they could not see how Ben Solo could still be alive.
Driver left open the possibility of participating if the project were revived, while making clear that he considered that outcome unlikely. “If they wanted to, fine. But it’s not our call,” he said on Wednesday. “I think the ship has sailed, though.”
He also expressed appreciation for the public response to news of the film. Fans organized campaigns calling on Disney to reconsider, including billboards and flights over Disney. Driver said that level of support had surprised him and described the response as “pretty incredible.”
Driver’s next theatrical release is Paper Tiger, in which he stars alongside Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller. The film is scheduled to open Nov. 13. He is also expected to begin work on Michael Mann’s Heat 2 in December, and his casting as Mister Sinister in the forthcoming X-Men reboot was announced in August.
