New York Comic Con got underway this week, and visitors to the Lucasfilm booth – including Star Wars News Net – were treated to a display of First Order accessories. Accompanying these items were information panels, providing explanations for their respective backgrounds. While these panels contained some interesting snippets of insight, the most noteworthy piece related to the helmet of Kylo Ren, worn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
When the villain first appeared onscreen, his attire was immediately likened to that of Darth Vader. His tall, intimidating frame cloaked in black, and capped with a distinctive, strangely shaped, voice altering helmet – the audience initially wondered what terrible face could lie beneath it, given that Darth Vader’s helmet covered his deep burn scars. It was somewhat confusing then when Ren removed the helmet to reveal an undamaged face.
So, why does Kylo cover up? Well, Lucasfilm explains the wardrobe choice as so:
“Kylo Ren is the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, protégé of Luke Skywalker, and eventual Master of the Knights Of Ren. He is known as the ‘Jedi Killer’ among the rank and file of the First Order. His helmet was crafted to mask his visage and voice, concealing his identity as he delves further into the power of the Dark Side of the Force.”
Far from being medically required, or even being an elaborate, cosplay based homage to his late Grandfather (Darth Vader) – it seems the Kylo Ren helmet is intended to hide his true identity. While interesting, it could be argued that the fact that this needs to be explained at all highlights a significant flaw in the script of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
It’s not at all clear in that film that Ren wears his helmet to hide who he is from the galaxy. This is because he removes it often – not least in the interrogation of Rey – and his parents obviously know very well what he’s up to, and who he is. It gives this explanation the air of an after-thought – that the creators at Lucasfilm had decided their villain would wear a mask like Vader did, and so they invented a reason to explain that choice.
Regardless, the Kylo Ren helmet is doubtless bringing many fans joy at the New York Comic Con, as they wait patiently for the character’s return in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
