"Star Wars" fans know that when it comes to the films' characters, there's always a story behind each name. The same holds true for the upcoming "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," as director J.J. Abrams told Entertainment Weekly about new characters Finn (John Boyega), Rey (Daisy Ridley), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), among others.
The director previously disclosed that Kylo Ren is not the character's birth name but he came to use the name when he joined the Knights of Ren. Abrams also confirmed that Ren is a title in the "Star Wars" universe, similar to that of Darth.
As for Finn and Rey, they are only known by their first names and their identities are a mystery. In trailers and teaser clips, Finn is seen in a stormtrooper suit, but last week, a new clip was released showing him wielding a lightsaber. Meanwhile, Rey is said to be a desert scavenger, but based on the 3-minute behind-the-scenes look at the film shown at the San Diego Comic-Con last July, it's clear that the two will team up with Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) at one point in the film.
Abrams, ever careful about not giving too much away about the movie, told EW that while he is not ready to reveal Finn's and Rey's identities, he can say that "it is completely intentional that their last names aren't public record."
Meanwhile, previous teasers featured a glimpse of General Hux, a powerful leader from The First Order, and Abrams said that his name does not have an origin like the others. The director thinks that the name may have come to him while he and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan were taking walks through a cemetery near the Bad Robot offices. The director said that while walking, they would look at headstones to see if any names "stuck." Hux is described as a young general who wants to unleash the full power of the order's military to the galaxy.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" premieres on Dec. 18.
