What’s Kylo Ren Doing With Darth Vader’s Mask In ‘The Force Awakens’?

(Potential spoilers ahead, or at least potentially crazy theories.)

We’ve seen many familiar faces returning and easter eggs in the Force Awakens trailers and previews, and one thing is for sure about the new big bad villain Kylo Ren: He really likes Darth Vader. To a kinda creepy, I’d-need-a-restraining-order-if-I-weren’t-dead level. But why would Adam from Girls be so into the Sith Lord, besides the whole being the second most powerful person in the universe thing? He’s been rumored to be a Skywalker descendant, but who hasn’t in the new movie. There are a few other ideas floating around out there, so let’s break them down.

Besides just being a Vader fanboy, Ren is rumored to be collecting Darth-themed relics, such as his mask and his old blue lightsaber (now in the hands of newbie Finn). He’s most likely more than just a collector and worshipper — he has to have a more sinister purpose in mind. And that’s where Darth Vader might re-enter the franchise, in the flesh and circuitry.

Some have hypothesized that Ren is trying to resurrect Vader in some way. This could mean a new, separate entity for Darth, or Ren is attempting to acquire his powers through these objects a la a Horcrux-type situation. It sounds a little crazy to think of Vader returning, but no one has said that Star Wars fans weren’t crazy. Ren does say “our” in the trailer, although he’s most likely referring to some of the other baddies in the film. It’s also thought that the movie’s title refers to the “awakening” of Vader as well, although that’s probably the revival of the Force in the universe.

Whatever the case, Kylo is clearly up to no good with that mask. What do you think he plans to do with his Darth Vader swag?