The Star Wars sequel trilogy is already two movies deep and the insidious Knights of Ren remain, well, mysterious something Episode IX needs to remedy. Despite the fan-controversy surrounding Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it did answer a number of pressing questions about the main characters, most crucially Luke Skywalker's exile and Rey's parentage.Whether or not all the reveals hit home for every audience member isn't as important as whether the Saga moves forward. After all, J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson certainly can't be blamed for cutting extraneous plot threads from their already story-packed films. But at the same time, it's unfortunate the shrouded Vader-ites known as the Knights of Ren were totally absent from The Last Jedi after being carefully teased in The Force Awakens; they appeared as a central part of Rey's Force-back and were namedropped in an introductory quote from Snoke to Kylo Ren: œeven you, master of the Knights of Ren, have never faced such a test.Related: The Last Jedi Explains What Rey's Force Vision Was Really AboutBy the end of Episode VIII, Kylo Ren has exceeded his grandfather's dreams for power. The final chapter in the sequel trilogy is only going to see him go further into the dark, and so should reintroduce the Knights of Ren to really highlight his new-found power.Who Actually Are The Knights of Ren? (This Page)
Who Actually Are The Knights of Ren?
When J.J. Abrams brought Star Wars out of its 10-year hiatus in 2015, he and Lawrence Kasdan had a lot of ground to cover. Not only did they have to introduce the next generation of heroes and villains but integrate the classic characters, as well as drawing up a tantalizing story arc going forward. One of their most dramatic plotlines was the fall of Luke Skywalker and his new Jedi Order. His own nephew, Ben Solo after being tempted by Snoke and his low-hung dark side fruits (as well as a perceived betrayal by Luke) destroyed the Jedi Temple and reworked himself in Darth Vader's image as Kylo Ren. He then joined the heirs to the Empire, the First Order, and began a reign of terror with his adherents, the Knights of Ren.
The Last Jedi doesn't dive deep into the curious dark side adepts, but it does suggest their origins. During Luke's flashback to the destruction of the temple, appears to name several of his former padawans as the Knights, who sided with Ren after he was corrupted to serve the dark side. While Lucasfilm hasn't confirmed their identity (yet), this would at least place them in the canon and potentially still relevant.
The question now becomes about where they are now - and if they could come back. With the death of Snoke, the First Order was restructured under its new Supreme Leader, Kylo Ren. He may have filled the power vacuum, but General Hux is just as thirsty for the reins. Kylo will need some powerful allies to keep Hux and his Force-cynical military cohorts from staging a coup. Enter his Knights.
The Knights of Ren Can Help Kylo Maintain Control of the First Order
Many theories were dashed in The Last Jedi, with Snoke (apparently) killed without fanfare, much like Emperor Palpatine and Rey merely a powerful Force user. However, questions about the First Order's origins and the whereabouts of the Knights of Ren still remain, providing possible angles for Abrams and his co-scripter Chris Terrio to explore in Episode IX. After all, he created the Knights; it would only be appropriate if they make their triumphant return in his trilogy-ender. But what role will they have, and how will it impact the eternal struggle between good and evil in the far-away galaxy?
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To understand their possible significance, we have to examine Kylo Ren's major obstacles in Episode IX: his own power base and the burgeoning Resistance. As far as internal affairs go, Ren's got serious competition from General Hux, who was more than ready to kill his competitor when he found was unconscious on Snoke's throne room floor. Some Force body-check certainly asserted Kylo's dominance, at least for the moment, but the power struggle is unlikely to end there. To secure his position and reestablish the fear-based rule that Snoke enjoyed, the latest Supreme Leader needs a tightly knit and dangerous inner circle.
Potent dark side users, in theory, the Knights can fill the role Vader, as well as the Emperor's dark side advisors and Inquisitors, served during the Empire. Challenges to Ren's authority should be met with swift, mystical reprisal from their new Supreme Leader and his chosen lieutenants. By creating a ruling council of mystics, he can also establish the same dark side theocracy as the Empire, sending the Knights of Ren to impose his rule.
The Knights of Ren Could Be Key in Stopping The Resistance
Internal politics are one thing, but Kylo's got bigger problems to deal with. The Resistance's stragglers might not seem like much of a threat, but Rey's robust abilities and dedicated comrades. coupled with Luke Skywalker's legacy as an uber-badass, ought to fan the flames of rebellion across the galaxy. So, Kylo and the Order will be busy chasing phantoms, unless he has some capable assistance.
Much like the Emperor used Vader and the Inquisitors to hunt the Jedi and the Rebel Alliance, Ren can task the Knights to stamp out all opposition with their own brand of dark side terror. Compared to the First Order military's (at times) bumbling yet highly effective efforts, the Knights represent a genuine threat that only the most formidable adversary, with or without the benefits of the Force, could prevail against.
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At this point, it's hard to speculate on what, if anything, J.J. Abrams will do with the Knights of Ren. Assuming they are still on the table, though, it would be smart to have them appear; it's going to be tricky for the director to incorporate new plot threads and characters into the final film of an already plot-heavy trilogy, but unlike the Ewoks or General Grievous, there is a precedent for the Knights.
The Knights would also make worthy adversaries for the revamped Resistance and Rey's own powerful Force skills, while simultaneously proving Kylo Ren is coming into his own as a leader and villain. Most of all, as dark side ringwraiths,' they'd add a nightmarish quality to the saga an unhinged group of Dark Jedi fanatics dedicated to an erratic yet ruthless ruler. What could be more frightening than that?
Next: How The Last Jedi Retconned The Force Awakens' Original Plans
