‘Star Wars’ Sequel Trilogy Continuing, New Kylo Ren Project Greenlit
Kylo Ren is heading back into the spotlight with a new sequel to Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).
Few modern blockbuster franchises have divided fandoms quite like the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Nearly a decade after The Last Jedi hit theaters, the debate surrounding Rey (Daisy Ridley), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and Disney’s general handling of the Skywalker Saga continues.
Rian Johnson’s sequel remains one of the franchise’s most controversial entries. While some praised its willingness to challenge Star Wars mythology, others rejected its portrayal of Luke Skywalker and its decision to push Kylo Ren closer to the emotional center of the trilogy.
That conversation only intensified after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrived in 2019.
J.J. Abrams’ follow-up faced criticism for reversing several major story decisions introduced in The Last Jedi, particularly around Rey’s lineage and Kylo Ren’s trajectory. Ben Solo’s redemption arc also divided fans, especially after the character was killed shortly after returning to the light side.
Since then, there’s been plenty of speculation about Lucasfilm revisiting the sequel trilogy era.
Much of that attention has centered on Daisy Ridley’s upcoming (theoretically, at least) Rey film, which was first announced at Star Wars Celebration in 2023. Lucasfilm confirmed the movie would take place after the sequel trilogy and follow Rey as she rebuilds the Jedi Order.
Now, another sequel-era project is officially moving forward — and this one puts Kylo Ren back at the center of the story.
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Marvel Expands the Sequel Trilogy Timeline With New Kylo Ren Story
Marvel is officially developing a new limited comic series titled Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren.
The five-issue project will continue Ben Solo’s story following the events of The Last Jedi, focusing on Kylo Ren’s increasingly unstable leadership of the First Order as tensions rise between him, General Hux, and Allegiant General Pryde.
The series serves as a follow-up to 2020’s Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren, which explored Ben Solo’s transformation into Kylo Ren and his takeover of the Knights of Ren.
In his latest newsletter, Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) announced his next #StarWars comic!
‘Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren’ picks up after the events of ‘Legacy of Vader’ and runs up until the opening of #TheRiseofSkywalker.
The five-issue miniseries begins in August.
In his latest newsletter, Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) announced his next #StarWars comic!
'Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren' picks up after the events of 'Legacy of Vader' and runs up until the opening of #TheRiseofSkywalker.
The five-issue miniseries begins in August. pic.twitter.com/mhf8pUwmth
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) May 15, 2026
The new comic also follows up on the ending of Legacy of Vader, which teased Kylo Ren’s return with the line: “The Reign Ends. The Fall Begins. Kylo Ren… Will Return.”
Writer Charles Soule and artist Will Sliney are both returning for the project.
Marvel’s official description presents a darker version of Kylo Ren than audiences previously saw onscreen, with the Supreme Leader using fear and violence to maintain control over a fractured First Order in the aftermath of Supreme Leader Snoke’s death.
The publisher described the story as a “pivotal turning point for Kylo, Hux and Pryde and essential reading for every Star Wars fan.”
According to Soule’s newsletter (via IGN), the comic takes place between Legacy of Vader and the opening moments of The Rise of Skywalker. The first issue is scheduled to release on August 12, 2026.
The full logline reads:
“Kylo Ren returns from devastation, wielding total fury! As Generals Hux and Pryde tear the First Order apart with treacherous ambition, Kylo cuts through their schemes with merciless clarity. His wrath forges unity through fear and unleashes a Supreme Leader neither general can escape…nor survive disappointing. A pivotal turning point for Kylo, Hux and Pryde and essential reading for every Star Wars fan.”
Soule also explained that Ben Solo’s story always felt larger than what audiences saw in the films, adding that revisiting the character again “just feels right.”
Sliney revealed that he and Soule had privately discussed making a “Fall of Kylo Ren” series for years following the response to their original comic run.
RELATED: After Killing Ben Solo Film, Disney Pulls Kylo Ren From Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Adam Driver Return Speculation Continues After Latest Lucasfilm Updates
The announcement has already reignited speculation surrounding Adam Driver’s possible future in Star Wars.
Although Ben Solo died at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, fans have continued pushing theories about the character’s return for years, especially after reports surfaced about a scrapped project titled The Hunt for Ben Solo.
That pitch reportedly would have followed Ben Solo after the sequel trilogy, with Driver and Steven Soderbergh attached before the project was ultimately rejected by former Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment Chairman Alan Bergman, who couldn’t comprehend how Ben Solo survived his apparent demise.
(Yes, this is the same studio that greenlit the line “somehow, Palpatine returned.”)
The upcoming film remains in development after multiple screenwriters exited the project, though recent updates have fueled speculation that it may finally be gaining momentum.
Ridley recently exited another project, while a casting search linked to a known Lucasfilm casting director reportedly began looking for two young actors for an undisclosed production filming later this month.
John Boyega’s recent comments have also added to the speculation. The actor, who played Finn throughout the sequel trilogy, recently confirmed he has spoken with Lucasfilm’s recently appointed co-president Dave Filoni about potentially returning to the franchise.
Exactly how The Fall of Kylo Ren will connect to Lucasfilm’s broader sequel trilogy plans remains unclear. Still, the new comic marks one of the studio’s clearest signs yet that the controversial era is far from over.
