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The destruction of Kylo Ren’s mask in The Last Jedi wasn’t for anyone who complained about him in the Force Awakens. The plan to destroy the helmet came way before The Force Awakens was even in theaters. And even then it was seen as risky. So why was Kylo Ren’s mask destroyed in The Last Jedi?
“That was the big design choice with Kylo: losing the mask. It was a little terrifying because, by the time we were making the movie, the first film had come out and every kid was wearing Kylo Ren masks on Halloween. It was the symbol of the movie on packaging. And I love the helmet. But the whole premise of this film is that you’re getting inside this guy a bit more. More than that, Rey is seeing there’s more to him than she thought. And Adam Driver is one of my favorite actors working today. The notion of getting the mask off of him so we don’t have to deal with it and can look into his eyes seemed really important.”
Having seen the movie, we understand the direction and out of all the problems the film had the destruction of the mask didn’t seem like one. As Kylo and Rey continue to make a strong force connection, it would have almost been impossible to keep showing Kylo Ren in his mask. And as we learn, this was a mask that Snoke never really cared for. In The Force Awakens, Kylo was setting himself up as the new Darth Vader, but his plans have shifted somewhat especially after (SPOILER) killing Snoke and choosing to be the new leader of The First Order, much to General Hux’s dismay.