Daisy Ridley’s return to theStar Warsfranchise was officially announced earlier this month as the English actor is confirmed to star in a new film centered on Rey Skywalker as she attempts to rebuild the Jedi Order. TheStar Warsfilm, which is confirmed to be set 15 years after the events ofThe Rise of Skywalker, was announced at Star Wars Celebration in London on Friday, June 10, 2025. Ridley was brought on stage by Kathleen Kennedy and co., where she received a thunderous reception while Rey’s theme boomed from the speakers. Story details are scarce for the film at this point. The only real thing that fans know is that Ridley’s Rey will be the Jedi Master in a new story, reversing her role from the sequel trilogy where she was the apprentice to Han, Luke, and Leia.
With Ridley’s impending return, questions are now being asked as to whether her sequel trilogy costars will also join her. If John Boyega and Oscar Isaac, who played Finn and Poe Dameron respectively, want to come back, then it seems a sure bet that they will be included in the story in some way. However, arguably the most popular character alongside Rey in the sequels is Kylo Ren, aka Ben Solo, who died in Episode IX. With the announcement of Daisy Ridley coming back, many fans are wondering if Adam Driver could return to the franchise alongside her.
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Kylo Ren’s journey in the sequel trilogy began when he hunted for BB-8, who had the map that led the way to Luke Skywalker in Episode VII -The Force Awakens. Ren immediately had a connection to Rey,as shown by the scenein which he interrogates her on board Starkiller Base, which is also the first time that Adam Driver’s character takes off his mask. Rian Johnson, who directedThe Last Jediand cited that scene from the previous outing as his favorite of the entire film, built upon that connection by connecting Kylo Ren and Rey through the Force in his film. In the final installment of the Skywalker Saga, the duo were confirmed to be part of a dyad, a new Force concept where two individuals coming together creates a power that is never before seen and essentially unstoppable. Clearly, Rey and Kylo and their journeys in this franchiseare extremely interconnected, so it makes sense that fans are wondering if Adam Driver will appear in the new film.
The fact that Ben Solo gave his life to save Rey at the end of Episode IXmeans that any potential returnfor Driver would have to be creative enough to get around his ultimate fate in that film. There is, of course, the possibility that the writers opt to resurrect Ben Solo, perhaps through the World Between Worlds, but there’s no evidence to suggest that that will happen at this point. Doing that would also essentially erase the ending of the last film, something that Lucasfilm might want to avoid as to not invalidate JJ Abrams’ trilogy concision.
The truth is, though, that it’s entirely possible, if not likely, that Adam Driver returns as Ben Solo in this new film. Even if he’s not a main character, this franchise presents many different ways in which a character can be brought back after they’ve become one with the Force. Flashbacks are one way, such as Rey reminiscing a time in which she encountered Kylo Ren,or how she always knew that his heart was good.
However, the most likely way that Adam Driver could come back is by being a Force ghost. Force ghosts have been a huge part of this franchise ever sinceThe Empire Strikes Backwhen Obi-Wan appeared to Luke on Hoth, and these appearances often coincide with a hugely emotional and personal moment for the lead character. This was certainly the case one of the last times Rey encountered a fallen Jedi on screen,as she met with Luke Skywalkeron Ahch-To.
The character that Rey had the biggest connection to in the sequels was Ben Solo, so it would be fitting if Driver came back, even in a limited capacity, in order to aid Daisy Ridley’s character’s arc and development in the new film. This would also mean that it would be relatively easy on Adam Driver’s schedule, particularly as he’s one of the most in-demand actors working right now. Since beginning the sequel trilogy in 2015, Driver has become an Award-winning performer who is often in the conversation for Oscars when the awards season is in full effect,so one highly important scene for Ben Solowould be easy for all parties to agree on.
Adam Driver’s return is not confirmed, but he could easily return when Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker comes back. The film is yet to receive an official release date, but speculation points towards December 2025 as the likely time at which it comes out in theaters.
