Steven Soderbergh has once again pulled back the curtain on his creative process. The prolific director just released his annual “Seen, Read” list for 2025. It serves as a fascinating map of his artistic intake. This year stands out for one massive reason. The list confirms intense preparation for a Star Wars movie that almost happened.
Decoding the Star Wars Marathon
The most glaring entry in Soderbergh’s 2025 consumption log is a heavy concentration of Star Wars content. Fans and industry analysts have immediately connected this to recent reports regarding a scrapped Lucasfilm project. It is widely believed Soderbergh was set to direct The Hunt For Ben Solo.
This project reportedly featured Adam Driver returning to his famous role. The script came from Scott Z. Burns. Burns is a frequent collaborator who wrote Contagion and The Informant!.
Soderbergh clearly immersed himself in the galaxy far, far away.
His viewing habits suggest he was deep in research mode before the plug was pulled. Directors often binge franchise lore to ensure continuity and tone. This specific cluster of viewings offers a bittersweet look at a blockbuster that audiences will likely never see.
Key Soderbergh Stats:
Steven Soderbergh film camera lens blueprint diagram conceptual art
- Genre Focus: Heavy Sci-Fi and 70s Cinema
- Daily Average: 2.5 pieces of media
- Recurring Favorite: Jaws (1975)
- New Obsession: Star Wars Canon
The Jaws Project Finally Exposed
Soderbergh’s fixation on Steven Spielberg’s Jaws is legendary among his fanbase. He watches it nearly every year. He has even released a “staging interview” where he loops the film to study its blocking.
The 2025 list changes the context of this obsession. It contains references to “Production 02074.”
Soderbergh confirmed on his extension765 site that this code name refers to a book about Jaws.
He has been writing this analysis for years. It is not just a fan tribute. It appears to be a granular breakdown of the film’s production and directing choices. This confirms that his annual rewatches are not just for comfort. They are active study sessions for a massive literary undertaking.
We can expect this book to be a masterclass in filmmaking. It will likely dissect how Spielberg overcame the mechanical shark’s failure to create a masterpiece.
Reviving Lost Projects and New Drafts
The media log also functions as a production diary. Buried between album listens and movie screenings are dates marking the completion of script drafts. These entries give us hope for projects previously thought dead.
One major highlight is a return to The Other Hamilton.
This project was originally developed for HBO Max. It tells the tragic and powerful story of the “Black Wall Street” massacre in Tulsa. Don Cheadle was attached to produce and star. Seeing a new draft in 2025 suggests Soderbergh is actively trying to get this important story made.
Another surprise is The Sot-Weed Factor.
| Project Name | Status | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| The Sot-Weed Factor | Active Draft | 12-hour miniseries based on John Barth’s novel. |
| Bloodworth Manor | Unknown | Mysterious new title. Could be a thriller. |
| Ascenso | Unknown | Potential Spanish-language project or code name. |
He has wanted to adapt the John Barth novel for over a decade. It is a massive satirical epic set in the 1600s. The list indicates he is still chipping away at a 12-hour miniseries version. This level of persistence is rare in Hollywood.
A Treasure Trove for Collectors
The director closed his update with news that physical media collectors have craved for years. A limited-edition box set of his rights-controlled films is finally coming. The release window is set for summer 2026.
This collection will likely include 4K restorations of his most unique works.
Titles like Kafka have been unavailable on streaming for a long time. Soderbergh has mentioned re-editing this film into a new version called Mr. Kneff. The box set promises to include these alternate cuts.
This release will arguably be the most significant home video event of the year.
It preserves films that were in danger of becoming lost media. Fans of Schizopolis and Gray’s Anatomy will finally have pristine copies. This move aligns with Soderbergh’s philosophy of maintaining total control over his artistic output.
Steven Soderbergh remains one of the most transparent filmmakers working today. His 2025 list is more than data. It is a narrative of ambition, cancellation, and persistence. We see the ghosts of a Star Wars film that died. We see the birth of a Jaws book. And we see a director who never stops working.
We want to hear from you. Are you disappointed we missed out on a Soderbergh Star Wars movie? Or are you more excited about his book on Jaws? Share your thoughts below or tag us on social media using #SoderberghList2025.
