Since the final trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens hit the internet, theories have exploded in every which direction as to who the mysterious Kylo Ren is.
We’ve been here before with JJ Abrams when Star Trek Into Darkness’ John Harrison was none other than Khan from the classic Wrath Of Khan storyline.
Some have even suggested that Ren is Luke Skywalker himself who has gone dark side. Abrams is playing his consistent secrecy game with the film with keeping Luke in the shadows, having him not feature on any promo, barring a quick glimpse of his metal hand in a previous teaser.
But we have seen Ren without his mask on, revealing the talented Adam Driver as this character, but there is the chance that Ren and Skywalker could be connected in some way.
Ren, according to Abrams is part of group (possible cult) called Knights of Ren, who are looking to continue the work of the Empire using a military/government operation called the ominously titled First Order.
What we do know is Kylo Ren is working for or alongside another mysterious character, Andy Serkis’ Supreme Leader Snoke, who will be a motion capture character with dark side leanings, but again not a Sith Lord apparently.
As seen from the trailer Ren has built his own lightsaber, the very cool cruciform saber and is some sort of Darth Vader obsessive, so it would make perfect sense for him to go looking for Luke possibly in search of something Vader may have been searching for to do with the Sith mythology.
He will also come into play with Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron (seen being tortured in the trailer), Daisy Ridley’s Rey and John Boyega’s Finn (in a lightsaber battle in the snow!).
I have doubt that following this movie, as mentioned in a previous blog, will become a household name after his portrayal of Kylo Ren. I see Ren as a very impulsive, angry young man, much the same as Vader was when he joined the Dark Side, but he will rely on the First Order to assist with his goals.
So for now we know very little about Kylo Ren, but let’s face it, it’s a JJ Abrams film, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens open on 17th December in the UK.
Paul Downey's Blog 