Entertainment Weekly gave us a closer look at the cool villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) with the new Star Wars: The Force Awakensphotos and cover. Thanks to their interview with The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams, we also learn more about the film's complex villain.
Abrams revealed that the Kylo Ren is well aware of Darth Vader, and will continue his legacy with the First Order, a new organization of Galactic Empire loyalists looking to reinstate the totalitarian regime. And it turns out that he's also a fan of the former Sith Lord, and his sinister mask is a bit of a homage.
"The movie explains the origins of the mask and where it's from, but the design was meant to be a nod to the Vader mask," Abrams told EW. "[Ren] is well aware of what's come before, and that's very much a part of the story of the film."
Then Abrams revealed that Ren built the cross-guard lightsaber himself, describing it as "fierce and as ragged as the character."
Abrams also dropped the mysterious news that Kylo Ren isn't the character's true name. Much like Darth Vader was a title given title to Anakin Skywalker, Kylo Ren is a given moniker for whoever is behind that mask. Apparently, "Ren" is an surname given to members of a mysterious group, much like "Darth" is bestowed to Sith Lords.
"He is a character who came to the name Kylo Ren when he joined a group called the Knights of Ren," Abrams explained.
Abrams promised that Kylo Ren will be a compelling villain who just may earn the fans' sympathy. "He is not your prototypical mustache-twirling bad guy," Abrams told EW. "He is a little bit more complex than that, and it was a great joy to work with [actor] Adam Driver on this role, because he threw himself into it in a deep and remarkable way."
Do you think the audience will love Kylo Ren as much as Darth Vader?
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