How Adam Driver’s ‘Star Wars’ Role ‘Changed Animation Forever’ 

Actor Adam Driver brought some serious star power to the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy. He embodied a certain intensity as the villainous Kylo Ren that is hard to replicate, and it ultimately changed animation. In an interview to promote the new Pixar film “Hoppers,” on “The One Show,” actor Dave Franco revealed that there is actually an “Adam Driver bar” that was installed in the recording booth for voiceover work just due to the intensity of his vocal performance.

In a clip from BBC’s “The One Show,” Dave Franco revealed how the “Star Wars” actor got “the Adam Driver bar” installed on recording booths. In his words:

“So, when I first went into the recording booth, I remember stepping in and there was this metal bar in front of me. I was like, ‘Guys, what’s the bar all about?’ And they were like, ‘If you wanna lean on it, you can.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t think I’m going to lean on the bar.’ Cut to the end of the session, I am gripping that bar with all my might. I’m dripping sweat.”

Later, Franco revealed that the bar was seriously called “the Adam Driver bar” by people in the industry. Fellow guest Wyatt Russellseemingly confirmed the name and admitted to hearing the rumors. He added, “I’ve heard of this! I was gonna say something, and I didn’t say anything.”

Franco explained that the bar apparently had its origins in Driver’s “Star Wars” role. “Yeah, so I guess when he was playing Kylo Ren, there was some voice stuff that he did in the studio, and I guess he just needed something to hold on to.” He added, “And he invented this thing that changed animation forever.”

“Adam Driver’s a genius,” Russell added, noting that the bar “really works.”

Last year, the notoriously private actor revealed that he was interested in returning to a galaxy far, far away. In the events of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker,” Kylo Ren was redeemed, and he returned to his identity as Ben Solo, the son of Leia Organa and Han Solo. Unfortunately, he died after defeating Emperor Palpatine with the help of Rey (Daisy Ridley).

Although his character faded into the Force and seemingly passed away, Driver always held out hope that he could return and even developed a script with Steven Soderbergh that he took to Lucasfilm. Although the idea was initially approved and a script was written, Disney execs later shot down the idea, claiming that Ben Solo was dead and they didn’t see how he could be brought back to life.

While promoting his film “Father Mother Sister Brother,” Driver told the Associated Press that he and Soderbergh had spent about two years developing the film, which they had called “The Hunt For Ben Solo.”

“I had been talking about doing another one since 2021. Kathleen (Kennedy) had reached out. I always said: With a great director and a great story, I’d be there in a second. I loved that character and loved playing him,” Driver revealed.

He, Soderbergh, and Rebecca Blunt then outlined a story that they pitched to Kennedy, Cary Beck, and Dave Filoni. With their approval, they tapped Scott Z. Burns to write the script, which Driver called “one of the coolest (expletive) scripts I had ever been a part of.”

According to Driver, Bob Iger and Alan Bergman decided not to move forward with the film. “We presented the script to Lucasfilm. They loved the idea. They totally understood our angle and why we were doing it,” Driver said. “We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman and they said no. They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that.”

In a statement, Soderbergh said, “I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it.”

In February 2026, while speaking to BK Mag, Soderbergh said that everyone was “frustrated” by the film’s cancellation.

“We were all frustrated,” Soderbergh said. “You know, that was two and a half years of free work for me and Adam and [writer] Rebecca Blunt. When Adam and I discussed him talking about it publicly, I said, ‘Look, do not editorialize or speculate about the why. Just say what happened, because all we know is what happened.’ The stated reason was, ‘We don’t think Ben Solo could be alive.’ And that was all we were told. And so there’s nothing to do about it, you know, except move on.”

“I’d kind of made the movie in my head, and just felt bad that nobody else was going to get to see it,” he continued. “I thought the conversation was strictly going to be a practical one—where they go, what is this going to cost? And I had a really good answer for that. But it never even got to that point. It’s insane. We’re all very disappointed.”