Lightsaber reveals are Disney’s iconic way of teasing new characters in their spin on the Star Wars universe. When the company first unveiled their new Sith Lord, Kylo Ren, they did it by showing off the unique design of the Kylo Ren lightsaber. Here are 4 facts about this flagship weapon that you might not have noticed.
It’s Actually an Old Design
Well, that depends on who you’re asking. The Kylo Ren lightsaber design might be brand new to our universe, but it is actually ancient within the Star Wars lore. In the story, Kylo Ren dug deep into the past to craft a weapon based on a 1,000 year old design.
It Was Probably Stolen
According to the Star Wars novel Ashoka by writer E. K. Johnston, how jedis get their lightsabers is a pretty interesting twist. Lightsabers, as it turns out, are not just sci-fi weapons, but living creatures. Each lightsaber is powered by a living crystal that only reveals itself to a Jedi on the Lightside of the force. This means that the Sith and the Darkside need to steal their weapons from the Jedi. According to the novel, after being stolen the lightsaber turns evil and gains its famous red color.
It Might Explode
If you wanted to build the Kylo Ren lightsaber, you’d probably want someone more experienced than Kylo Ren to handle the job. This lightsaber was made using a “Cracked Kyber Crystal.” This crystal is unstable and prone to overloading. This is way Kylo’s lightsaber has exhaust vents along the sides. They release the heat built up by the crystal and prevent it from overloading. Let’s hope he doesn’t accidently cover those vents!
What’s With That Sound
Kylo’s lightsaber has become iconic. It is a total break from tradition in terms of not only how lightsabers can look, but how they sound. The traditional sci-fi synth noises are gone in favor of a much more raw sound. This lightsaber cracks and growls as it swings through the air (and the occasional Jedi). The Supervising Sound Editor wanted Kylo’s signature weapon to reflect his character. Kylo is impulsive, brash, and “unfinished” as he tries to figure out who he is. His lightsaber reflects this. It sputters when it starts and the traditional smooth whirring is replaced by a serrated electric noise.