Star Wars Fans Campaign for Ben Solo Movie

Star Wars superfans are refusing to let go of the canceled movie The Hunt for Ben Solo. A dedicated fan campaign, led by writer and voice actor Brianna Johns, has taken to Times Square to display their support. On January 3 and January 5, 2026, billboards featuring Ben Solo's silhouette appeared in the iconic location, strategically placed near the Disney store.

The campaign seeks to reverse the decision made by Disney executives to scrap the project. The movement gained momentum after actor Adam Driver disclosed that he and director Steven Soderbergh had completed a script for a direct follow-up to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Although the script was approved by Lucasfilm, it was ultimately rejected by Disney leadership. Fans have mobilized globally, translating posters into over 11 languages and amassing thousands of petition signatures in hopes of reviving the story of Ben Solo's redemption.

The fan campaign has escalated from street posters to high-profile digital advertising. Brianna Johns fully funded the takeover of two billboards in Times Square to ensure their message is seen by Disney executives. The first billboard was featured on top of a building in Times Square on January 3, 2026. The second was visible on January 5, positioned directly above the Pele store.

These locations are significant due to their proximity to the Disney store, the very company the fans hope will reconsider the film's cancellation. The billboards display a silhouette of Ben Solo with the phrase, "May 2026 renew hope in the galaxy and bring him home," alongside the hashtag #thehuntforbensolo. The second billboard also included the campaign's website, savebensolo.com. This builds upon a previous viral effort where a 'Ben Solo Missing' poster was plastered across Los Angeles and eventually translated into over 11 languages worldwide.

The campaign centers on a film that was nearly produced. Adam Driver revealed that he had spent years developing The Hunt for Ben Solo with Steven Soderbergh. The project was intended as a direct follow-up to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, focusing on the character's quest for redemption. Driver described the script as "one of the coolest f—king scripts I had ever been a part of."

Despite the enthusiasm of the creative team, the project was halted by Disney leadership. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy confirmed to Soderbergh that this was the first time a finished movie script had been rejected by Disney after being turned in for a greenlight. Driver noted that Disney executives "didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive," leading to the cancellation. Driver expressed confusion over the decision, noting the plan was to be economical with the budget while maintaining the character-driven spirit of the original trilogy.

Brianna Johns remains the driving force behind the movement, asserting that the desire for the film's fruition is alive and well fandom-wide. The campaign maintains an active Discord server with a few hundred members and has gathered over 7,100 signatures on a Change.org petition since October. Johns views the fanbase's mobilization as a momentous occasion, uniting a typically divided fandom around a common goal.

Johns expressed confidence in the campaign's ability to succeed, citing the fans' resources and dedication. "We’ve got creativity, money, and time," she stated. The campaign is prepared to go the distance, hoping to prove to Disney that the demand exists to justify the production and marketing costs. Johns emphasized that the ultimate goal is to watch the movie in theaters, believing that the fans' passion will eventually inspire Disney to open their "imaginations and wallets."

The revelation of the canceled project has surprised many, including those involved in the Star Wars franchise. Daisy Ridley, who played Rey Skywalker, admitted she was unaware of the specific details until Adam Driver went public with the news. She noted that while she had heard rumblings, the confirmation came as a shock. Ridley also acknowledged the fan campaign that sprang up following the news.

Steven Soderbergh expressed his regret that the film will likely never be seen by the public. "I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it," Soderbergh said. However, the fans remain undeterred. Johns told IGN that the campaign plans to be "so good they can’t ignore us," signaling that the push for The Hunt for Ben Solo is far from over.