UPDATE: Renowned director Steven Soderbergh has voiced his profound disappointment regarding the cancellation of his highly anticipated Star Wars film, centered around the character Ben Solo. In a recent interview with Brooklyn Magazine, Soderbergh recounted how he and star Adam Driver dedicated over two years to develop a project that garnered enthusiasm from Lucasfilm, but ultimately faced rejection from Disney.
Soderbergh revealed that he believed his next two years would involve creating a cinematic journey in a galaxy far, far away. “I thought the next two years of my life were going to be spent making a Star Wars movie,” he stated, reflecting on the abrupt end to what he envisioned as a significant chapter in his career.
In a surprising turn, Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, publicly expressed her disappointment over Disney’s decision, which was made clear during an announcement regarding her stepping down. Soderbergh noted, “It was no surprise that she was frustrated. We were all frustrated. You know, that was two and a half years of free work for me and Adam [Driver] and Rebecca Blunt.”
The project was reportedly shelved due to concerns about the viability of Ben Solo’s character. “The stated reason was ‘We don’t think Ben Solo could be alive,’” Soderbergh explained, questioning the rationale given the franchise’s history of resurrecting characters, such as Emperor Palpatine.
Despite the setback, Soderbergh quickly shifted gears and wrote four new scripts to stay productive. “You better start getting some shit generated so you can go back to work,” he told himself. His proactive approach highlights the emotional toll of the canceled project, 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.”
Speculation surrounding the future of Soderbergh’s project continues, particularly with changes in leadership at Disney and Lucasfilm. With Josh D’Amaro as the new CEO and Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan stepping into key roles, there are whispers that Soderbergh and Driver could still have a chance to realize their vision. “Hey, anything is possible,” Soderbergh remarked, though he acknowledged a sense of resignation regarding the project’s fate.
As fans and industry insiders alike await further developments, the disappointment of this potential Star Wars film serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in blockbuster filmmaking. Stay tuned for updates on how this situation unfolds and what it could mean for future Star Wars projects.
