Could Kylo Ren Actually Be Luke Skywalker?

As the world eagerly awaits tonight's release of the much anticipated final trailer of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I find myself pondering the big question that is on all of our minds -- where the heck is Luke Skywalker?!

Outside of a leaked image and a voice-over in the second teaser trailer, we haven't really seen him, aside from maybe an arm. It seems director J.J. Abrams is determined to keep him under wraps as much as possible. I hate spoilers as much as the next guy, so I have no problem with that, but it does seem rather peculiar that our franchise hero has been so glaringly absent. We're less than 2 months away from the release of The Force Awakens, and still no Skywalker. Of course that could all change tonight when the trailer drops on ESPN's Monday Night Football, but in the meantime, allow me to share my own theory...

Let's first take a moment to consider the possibilities here. At the end of The Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker is the last known living jedi. He saved the galaxy and with the help of his father Darth Vader, he overthrew the Emperor of the evil Galactic Empire. (Spoilers be damned! If you haven't seen the original Star Wars trilogy by now, you need to rethink your life!) What happens next in the Star Wars timeline isn't exactly clear. We know that the Empire has been defeated, Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine are dead, and the second Death Star has been destroyed. The last time we see Luke Skywalker, he's looking onward as his dead father's body and armor burns in a funeral pyre.

Where does this leave Luke? He's now arguably the most powerful person in the galaxy and there's probably a whole lot of people that want him dead. I don't imagine he's ice-fishing on Hoth or sunbathing on Tatooine. The most likely scenario is that he has, like his mentors Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda once did, gone into hiding. Or perhaps, he's gone into disguise...

Enter Kylo Ren. Not much is known about his character, but we do know that he is aligned with the Dark Side of the Force. He wields a never-before-seen crossblade lightsaber, he wears a mask, and he has an obsession with Darth Vader. If you start to piece things together, I think there's plausible evidence that he very well could actually be Luke Skywalker, and that J.J. Abrams has actually been hiding Luke Skywalker under our noses this whole time.

Here are some brief bulletpoints to explain my theory, and I'll expand upon it later (sorry guys, I'm pressed for time here!)

• As I said before, Luke's the last known surviving jedi. If Luke was wielding any lightsaber color other than Sith red, he'd be instantly giving away his identity. Remember, people want him dead! He has to live in secrecy.
  
• We know that Luke Skywalker is capable of crafting his own lightsabers. Considering he lost his hand in a duel with his father, it would make sense for him to learn from this and design the crossblade lightsaber.
• Kylo Ren's appearance is entirely concealed. Aside from Darth Vader, I can't think of a single other Sith warrior who hides his identity (but again, I'm rushing here). Seems rather convenient for a guy trying to hide, right?
• The Force Awakens is bound to have at least one huge twist, right? This would be huge!
• Kylo Ren being revealed as Luke Skywalker would also parallel the surprising reveal of Vader as Luke's father, and wouldn't that be cool?

I've got at least a couple more points, but I'll have to explain them later when I have more time. I want to be clear, though, that I'm not in any way suggesting that I think Luke Skywalker has turned to the Dark Side. I think he's working undercover to keep fighting against them, while also protecting himself. Remember, the Dark Side is hard to see. What better way to spot them than by earning their trust and appearing to be one of them?

Enjoy the trailer, guys! I can't wait to see it when I get home from work tonight! Let me know what you think about my crazy fan theory. I really think I might be onto something here!

5 Minute Movie Guy
10.19.15