Ben Solo's Unexpected Redemption
Adam Driver's recent revelation has brought to light the surprising fact that Ben Solo's redemption wasn't originally part of the plan for Kylo Ren. When Driver was first cast, the redemption arc had not been envisioned, indicating a lack of a cohesive narrative plan for the final trilogy. Instead, the redemption came just ahead of The Rise of Skywalker, resulting in a missed opportunity for a more compelling and unconventional story for Kylo Ren.
Rey and Ben Solo wielding their blue lightsabers in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
The revelation has sparked discussions about the missed potential in Kylo Ren's character development. Rather than being brought back to the light, Kylo Ren could have fully committed to the darkness, offering a more surprising and unpredictable direction for the character. The mirrored redemption seen in The Rise of Skywalker could have been replaced with a more dynamic and unprecedented narrative, setting Kylo Ren on a path to become the anti-Anakin in the Star Wars timeline.
Kylo Ren and Darth Vader's helmet
The Anti-Anakin: Kylo Ren's Original Arc
The original plan for Kylo Ren's arc would have positioned him as the anti-Anakin in the Star Wars saga. His journey would have seen him fully embracing the darkness, effectively becoming the inverse of Anakin's redemption. This reversal of Darth Vader's arc would have offered a fresh and compelling narrative, exploring Kylo Ren's evolution in the dark side without the interruption of a redemption arc.
Star Wars The Rise of Sywalker Rey and Kylo Ren Force Dyad
Kylo Ren's evolution in the dark side was intended to surpass his grandfather's dark legacy, presenting a new and uncharted territory for the character. However, the addition of his redemption stunted this potential, resulting in a missed opportunity to explore a darker and more complex path for Kylo Ren. The original arc for Kylo Ren would have provided a truly satisfying and compelling narrative, redefining the character and the Star Wars sequels.
Rey holding a lightsaber and looking hopeful in Rise of Skywalker and Anakin smirking in Obi-Wan Kenobi
Reimagining The Rise of Skywalker
The original plan for Kylo Ren's arc would have still fit the most interesting idea in The Rise of Skywalker—the Force dyad. With Kylo Ren remaining in the dark, the concept of a dyad and its connection to balance in the Force would have been heightened. The idea of Rey predominantly in the light and Kylo in the dark would have established a stronger sense of balance, setting the stage for a more compelling resolution to the Skywalker saga.
Star Wars' Kylo Ren in The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
Kylo Ren's agency in the dark side, combined with Rey's light, could have led to a fascinating conclusion, restoring the balance disrupted by Palpatine and fulfilling the legacy of Anakin Skywalker as the Chosen One. The original plan for Kylo Ren's arc would have allowed Rey to inherit Anakin's legacy while Kylo Ren became the heir to Darth Vader, creating a narrative that delved deeper into the conflict between darkness and light in the Star Wars universe.
A Missed Opportunity for a Compelling Arc
The revelation of the original plan for Kylo Ren's arc has sparked discussions about the missed opportunity for a more compelling and satisfying narrative in the Star Wars sequels. The potential for Kylo Ren to remain in the darkness, becoming the heir to Darth Vader's legacy, and the counterpart to Rey's light, would have offered a far more dynamic and unprecedented direction for the character and the saga.
In conclusion, the original plan for Kylo Ren's arc, as revealed by Adam Driver, presents a missed opportunity for a more complex and compelling narrative in the Star Wars sequels. The untapped potential of Kylo Ren's character serves as a reminder of the importance of cohesive narrative planning and the exploration of new and bold directions in storytelling, especially in a beloved and iconic franchise like Star Wars.