Rian Johnson Explains Why Luke Uses The Blue Lightsaber In Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Warning: Star Wars: The Last Jedi spoilers abound.

There's a simple explanation why Luke (Mark Hamill) decided to use Anakin's blue lightsaber in his sizzling battle with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Writer/Director Rian Johnson recently sat down to speak with IGN, and during his discussion with the publication, the filmmaker decided to explain the reason behind having Luke use Anakin's blue lightsaber instead of his own green one in the film. According to Johnson, Luke opts for the blue lightsaber in The Last Jedi because he knew it'd create the "maximum effect" on Kylo Ren.

"[Luke] is basically tailoring this projection to have maximum effect on Kylo. He knows that Kylo's Achilles heel is his rage, and so that's why he kind of makes himself look younger, the way Kylo would've last seen him in their confrontation at the temple, and that's why he decided to bring Kylo's grandfather's lightsaber down there – the lightsaber that Kylo screamed at Rey, ‘that's mine, that belongs to me.'"

And it works. Kylo Ren seethes with anger, charging at a Force projection of a version of his uncle he hates the most. The First Order's new Supreme Leader's movements are angry and inconsistent in battle. Luke successful managed to get a rise out of his nephew, buying Leia (Carrie Fisher) and the Resistance some time to escape.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is currently screening in cinemas.

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