The Star Wars fandom was left stunned as actor Adam Driver confirmed he won’t be appearing in any upcoming Disney/Lucasfilm science fiction franchise movies.
Known for his portrayal of Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequels trilogy, Driver announced his decision during an interview on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live! Show”. Previously, the actor had received huge recognition and admiration from fans of the Star Wars universe for his powerful portrayal of the villainous character.
The news of Driver’s departure from Star Wars films came as a shock to many of the franchise’s devoted fans. Numerous reactions were seen all over the internet, with fan clubs expressing sadness that such a beloved figure was exiting the beloved universe. Fans had previously witnessed Driver take on Kylo Ren into galactic heights, making this particular departure harder to digest for some in the fan base.
Meanwhile, star Mark Hamill, who is known for famously playing Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy, took to Twitter to share his feelings about the recent news. Hamill expressed his sadness but also thanked Driver for his contribution to the Star Wars universe in his post.
Adam Driver has had quite a journey with the Star Wars universe. After playing minor characters in movies such as Inside Llewyn Davis and Frances Ha, Driver made a considerable impact with his role as villain Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequels trilogy, starting with The Force Awakens in 2015.
In each entry of the sequels trilogy, Driver frequently commanded the screen while delivering an emotionally captivating performance as a vulnerable yet intimidating villain. The character’s presence was hard to ignore, with Driver often receiving praise from Star Wars fans and critics alike for his convincing, intense portrayal of the character.
In the last movie of the sequels trilogy, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Driver is seen in a different light from his previous entries. His character Kylo Ren returns with a fresh outlook and some interesting revelations that leave the audience somewhat ambiguous about his final outcome.
Though this would be the first and last time Driver plays Kylo Ren, the actor made sure to embolden the character’s finale. His emotional intensity is clearly visible in the last installment of the sequels trilogy as he struggles with inner conflict and his uneasy relationship with his enemy Rey.
Despite leaving his stamp as Kylo Ren in the Star Wars universe, Driver already has a promising future ahead.
Driver has a few upcoming movies that look to be as electric and gripping as his time with the franchise. There’s Annette, a musical-comedy directed by French director Leos Carax. Jim Jarmusch has also cast Driver for his upcoming anthology, The Dead Don’t Die.
Driver is also continuing his career in the television world by lending his talent to the upcoming series Noah Baumbach. As his return to Netflix with the series points, the actor is sure to excel in different avenues even without the Star Wars fanfare.
Although Star Wars fans were saddened by the news of Adam Driver leaving the sci-fi universe, the actor has bright and imminent projects that are sure to keep everyone interested. By announcing his decision on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live! Show”, Driver made sure to leave on a high note with his powerful turn in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. It’s safe to say that the actor will remain high on everyone’s list of favorites for a long time.
“I can’t believe it!! I’m devastated!” Sad_Nerd_9: “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO”
#MayTheForceBeWithHim
“I can’t believe it!! I’m devastated!” Sad_Nerd_9: “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO” #MayTheForceBeWithHim