Throughout the controversial sequel trilogy of Star Wars, Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren was the perfect foil to Daisy Ridley’s Rey. While the young Jedi will be returning for another Star Wars trilogy, her arch-nemesis doesn’t plan on coming back.
Adam Driver says that he isn’t reprising the role of the redeemed former leader of the Knights of Ren. In a recent appearance on the Smartless podcast, the actor says he won’t be “doing it anymore,” referring to his role as Kylo Ren. According to Driver, the death of his character in Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker is permanent.
“[Lucasfilm] are doing stuff, but not with me,” Driver shared. “I’m not doing it anymore.”
Driver was cast as Han Solo’s wayward son Ben in The Force Awakens and returned to the next two movies as Kylo Ren in The Last Jedi and Rise of the Skywalker. It can be recalled that Ren sacrificed himself to help Rey defeat Emperor Palpatine, ultimately redeeming himself and returning to the light side of the force.
Driver’s performance as Kylo Ren received critical acclaim and was one of the saving graces of the sequel trilogy. His conflicted nature, costume, and depth made the character one of the more memorable villains in the series. During the interview, the actor also discussed Kylo Ren’s journey from the original concept to the character’s transition back to Ben Solo.
“I had an overall arc in mind that he wanted to do, which then changed,” Driver explained. “His idea was almost the opposite journey of Vader, where Vader starts the most confident, the most committed to the Dark Side, and by the last movie he’s the most vulnerable, and weak, and he wanted to start at the opposite, where this character was the most confused and vulnerable, and by the end of the three movies would be most committed to the Dark Side.”
Many fans hoped that Driver would return in the upcoming Star Wars projects. However, only Daisy Ridley has been confirmed to be reprising her role. Other actors including John Boyega’s Finn and Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron have not been officially mentioned in the upcoming projects.
While Driver isn’t returning, we may see his character as a Force Ghost in future Star Wars projects. Lucasfilm has pulled this trick before, and it would be possible for Ben Solo to return in that capacity. It would be cool if Ren helped Rey in some aspects of her journey as she reestablishes the Jedi Order.
For now, Driver is currently promoting his latest film, Ferrari. The actor may be hoping to gain a third Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Enzo Ferrari in the movie.
