By now, the evidence that Star Wars: Episode IX will see Kylo Ren wearing a helmet again is starting to look pretty convincing, but there remains some debate on just what his next piece of headwear will look like. On the one hand, reports and leaked concept art seem to indicate that J.J. Abrams’ upcoming film will feature a mended version of the helmet he smashed near the beginning of The Last Jedi, complete with red fissure lines where repairs were made. On the other hand, you have this new merchandise leak which shows the mask in a relatively healthy state.
One thing to keep in mind with the new batch of images is that the toys are being released to tie in with the upcoming theme park expansion Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, rather than any particular film. We therefore wouldn’t assume that the model represents the contents of Episode IX, especially when it currently feels far too early for the movie to be getting any tie-in toys.
All the same, we already have reason to believe that Galaxy’s Edge will premiere certain designs that might end up featuring in this year’s Sequel Trilogy finale. For example, reports indicate that a new TIE fighter on display in the area may well show up in Episode IX. And going by recent statements from the creative executive in charge of Galaxy’s Edge, the region could also offer an early glimpse of the film’s heavily rumored red Stormtroopers.
Incidentally, while we’re on the topic of helmets, the Star Wars: Episode IX footage that screened to Disney shareholders earlier this month revealed that Darth Vader’s headgear will feature once more as an object of Kylo’s fixation. That’s certainly intriguing to hear, and we’ll find out what other callbacks Abrams has lined up when the film hits theaters on December 20th, 2019.
