The upcoming Lucasfilm sequel 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' continues to remain secretive, releasing only limited information about the plotline and the characters who will appear in the film. Not much is known about the main protagonists who will be portrayed by Daisy Ridley and John Boyega, and the villains have only recently been introduced.
Luckily, the new issue of Entertainment Weekly is offering a more in-depth look at the characters, most especially the hooded antagonist that wields a cross-guard lightsaber. Kylo Ren, who will be played by Adam Driver, has piqued the interest of fans because of his choice of weapon and that eerily familiar mask.
Director J.J. Abrams told EW that Kylo Ren's mask resembles Darth Vader's mask for a reason.
"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 said. "[Kylo Ren] is well aware of what's come before, and that's very much a part of the story of the film."
According to EW, the villain is more than just knowledgeable about all things Vader; Kylo Ren is actually obsessed with Darth Vader who has also abandoned his real name in favor of a title.
[MILD SPOILERS AHEAD]
Kylo Ren is actually a title, suggesting that the character has a high rank. "He is a character who came to the name 'Kylo Ren' when he joined a group called the Knights of Ren," Abrams revealed.
J.J. Abrams also confirms that the character is more than just a villain with amazing sword fighting skills.
"He is not your prototypical mustache-twirling bad guy," he said. "He is a little bit more complex than that, and it was a great joy to work with Adam Driver on this role, because he threw himself into it in a deep and remarkable way."
Screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan agrees with Abrams. "He's full of emotion."
The one thing that fans have seen about Kylo Ren that sets him apart would be the cross-guard lightsaber that flickers and appears to be a volatile as the wielder.
"The lightsaber is something that he built himself, and is as dangerous and as fierce and as ragged as the character," Abrams says of the dangerous new weapon.
Find out more about Kylo Ren when 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' is released on December 18, 2015.
