Maz Kanata and Kylo Ren share a mysterious and often-overlooked connection. Played by Adam Driver, Kylo Ren is the conflicted Dark Side warrior who seeks to finish what Darth Vader started. Maz Kanata, brought to life through motion capture by Lupita Nyong’o, is the wise pirate queen with deep knowledge of the Force. Their paths cross in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but the connection between them runs deeper than many realize.
The Keeper of the Lightsaber
Maz Kanata has lived for over a thousand years, collecting artifacts and knowledge. Deep within the castle on Takodana, an ancient Jedi relic was hidden—Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber. This weapon, lost after the duel on Cloud City, found its way into Maz Kanata’s possession. How it was recovered remains a mystery, but keeping it safe suggests a deeper understanding of the Skywalker legacy.
When Rey first touches the lightsaber, a Force vision reveals voices from the past. The vision also includes Kylo Ren, standing alongside the Knights of Ren. Maz Kanata immediately understands the importance of the moment. This knowledge hints that the pirate queen knows more about Kylo Ren than what is spoken.
A Lost Apprentice
Kylo Ren was once known as Ben Solo, the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa. Trained by Luke Skywalker, Ben was expected to restore the Jedi Order. But the influence of Supreme Leader Snoke twisted his destiny. The destruction of Luke’s Jedi Temple sent shockwaves through the galaxy. Many Jedi were lost, and those who survived either joined the Knights of Ren or went into hiding.
Maz Kanata has witnessed the rise and fall of countless warriors. The words spoken to Han Solo suggest a deeper understanding of Ben Solo’s past. “If you live long enough, you see the same eyes in different people,” she says. The way she speaks of the Skywalker lightsaber and its history implies a connection to the family’s legacy. Perhaps Maz Kanata had encountered Ben Solo before the fall to darkness.
The Warning Unheeded
Maz Kanata believes in destiny and the Force’s guiding hand. The choice to give the Skywalker lightsaber to Rey instead of Kylo Ren is significant. The weapon called out to someone new, rather than the heir of Vader’s bloodline. Kylo Ren, already consumed by the Dark Side, seeks the weapon but is denied it. This moment symbolizes a shift. The Skywalker legacy is no longer his to claim.
The wisdom of Maz Kanata suggests a deeper warning—one that Han Solo does not fully understand until it is too late. When Han confronts Kylo Ren on Starkiller Base, the pain in Han’s voice echoes the words of Maz Kanata. There was still light in Ben Solo, but it was fading. Maz Kanata may have known that redemption was possible, but the path was not yet clear.
Knowledge of the Past
Maz Kanata’s vast experience with the Force and the Jedi raises many questions. Did she witness the fall of the Republic? Did she know the truth about Darth Vader’s redemption? Her connection to the past suggests she may have known Ben Solo before he became Kylo Ren. Perhaps she saw the warning signs long before Luke Skywalker did.
The archives hidden within Maz Kanata’s castle hold secrets stretching back centuries. The Jedi, the Sith, and the endless battle between light and darkness have all passed through her doors. Kylo Ren’s presence in the Force may not have been a surprise to her. When Rey arrives seeking guidance, Maz Kanata is already prepared to help.
The Last Meeting
Maz Kanata and Kylo Ren never speak directly in The Force Awakens. However, the confrontation on Takodana is their closest moment. When Kylo Ren arrives with the First Order, Maz Kanata’s castle is destroyed. The old ways are crumbling, and the war for the future of the Force is about to begin.
As the Millennium Falcon escapes, Maz Kanata’s role shifts to preparing the Resistance for what is coming. Kylo Ren, meanwhile, descends further into darkness. Their paths do not cross again, but their connection remains. The story of the Skywalker legacy continues, shaped by those who understand its history.
Legacy of the Connection
The forgotten connection between Maz Kanata and Kylo Ren is one of wisdom and lost potential. Maz Kanata represents knowledge of the past, while Kylo Ren struggles with his place in the present. The history of the Skywalker family intertwines with both characters in ways that remain largely unexplored.
The wisdom of Maz Kanata endures. The legacy of Kylo Ren is written in both darkness and light. Somewhere in the vast history of the galaxy, their connection still lingers—waiting to be rediscovered.
