J.J. Abrams teases there's a secret reason why Kylo Ren's helmet is back in The Last Jedi.
As many fans know by now, reverting Kylo back to his old Force Awakens self. But according to Abrams, there are legitimate reasons why he decided to use the helmet again.
In an interview with Collider, Abrams was asked about the mask's return. The director's response was two-pronged, connecting the headgear to Kylo's status as Supreme Leader of the First Order and something a little more mysterious:
“Part of it is about his commitment to the dark side. As you’ll see, he’s becoming Supreme Leader…his focus has been a little bit more on practical matters. He’s assumed that position within the First Order. It represents his re-committing to the dark side, to the Knights of Ren, and then because of a very specific thing that he’s about to go do. As you see in the story, there’s a reason for it. It might not be clear at this moment.”
Much like when Kylo's now-famous cross-guard lightsaber design debuted in concluding the sequel trilogy and Skywalker saga as a whole. Viewers should hold any judgments they have about the mask until they see the film, and then ideally everything will make more sense. Since Abrams is keeping narrative details guarded, he can't get into specifics right now.
It's also worth keeping in mind Kylo only destroyed the helmet after Supreme Leader Snoke mocked him for wearing it ("Take that ridiculous thing off"). In a way, Kylo smashing it in the elevator could be interpreted as his wanting to appease to his old master and prove himself. But with Snoke now dead and Kylo's true identity is a secret to the stormtroopers because of the helmet. If those in the First Order ever learned Kylo is really Ben Solo, it could prove to be his biggest weakness. That alone would be reason for Kylo to make sure the helmet is repaired for The Rise of Skywalker.
Source: Collider
