How come the much buzzed about villain in the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is named Kylo Ren, and not Darth Ren?

The film's director and co-screenwriter (along with The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan) J.J. Abrams recently confirmed that despite his vicious-looking lightsaber and origins amongst the mysterious Knight Of Ren, the character is not a Sith. Abrams divulged that Kylo Ren "works under Supreme Leader Snoke, who is a powerful figure on the Dark Side of the Force."

Snoke is a performance-captured digital character played by Andy Serkis. His voice was overheard in the first trailer for the film.

Abrams also spoke about the origins of the First Order, which are more of a reorganised and revitalised old enemy:

"That all came out of conversations about what would have happened if the Nazis all went to Argentina but then started working together again? What could be born of that? Could The First Order exist as a group that actually admired The Empire? Could the work of The Empire be seen as unfulfilled? And could Vader be a martyr? Could there be a need to see through what didn't get done?"

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens December 18th. Until then, May the Force Be With You...

Have a science fiction script of your own? Submit it to ScreenCraft's Sci-Fi Screenwriting Contest! 

Source: Empire