--- description: Kylo Ren is not a Sith. He's a part of the First Order. title: J.J. Abrams Says Nazis Inspired the New 'Star Wars' Villains image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf70d082f5b75ec4d/69876e593c1639291b450991/star-wars-force-awakens.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [movies](/tag/movies/) ## movies Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # J.J. Abrams Says Nazis Inspired the New _Star Wars_ Villains  by [Eliana Dockterman](/author/eliana-dockterman/)  ## Eliana Dockterman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Correspondent Aug 25, 2015 5:10 PM CUT   by [Eliana Dockterman](/author/eliana-dockterman/)  ## Eliana Dockterman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Correspondent Aug 25, 2015 5:10 PM CUT _Star Wars_ devotees are desperate for any new information about the _Force Awakens_ bad guy, [Kylo Ren](http://time.com/3994149/star-wars-the-force-awakens-kylo-ren-adam-driver/ "undefined"). His mysterious crossbar lightsaber and the absence of the usual “Darth” title associated with Sith Lords have left fans wondering about his background. Finally, director J.J. Abrams has offered a few (admittedly vague) details about the backstory of Adam Driver’s character. In an [interview](http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=45203 "undefined") with _Empire_ magazine, Abrams explained, “Kylo Ren is not a Sith. He works under Supreme Leader Snoke, who is a powerful figure on the Dark Side of the Force.” Snoke is played via motion-capture by—who else?—Andy Serkis. Astute fans will remember that Serkis lent his voice to the first trailer for the film. But how, exactly, are Snoke and Ren related to the fallen Empire? It seems that they are part of the First Order, which is not so much a remnant from the Empire as it is an imitator. “That all came out of conversations about what would have happened if the Nazis all went to Argentina but then started working together again?’” Abrams said in the interview. “What could be born of that? Could The First Order exist as a group that actually admired The Empire? Could the work of The Empire be seen as unfulfilled? And could Vader be a martyr? Could there be a need to see through what didn’t get done?” \[[_Empire_](http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=45203 "undefined")\] ### See the Concept Art For the Original Star Wars Movie Trilogy  C-3PO and R2-D2 Courtesy of Lucasfilm  The Millenium Falcon Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Darth Vader Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Y-Wings line up against the Death Star Courtesy of Lucasfilm  An X-Wing versus TIE fighters Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Hoth Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Echo Base Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Battle of Hoth Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Battle of Hoth Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Cloud City of Bespin Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Luke versus Darth Vader Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Luke Skywalker versus Darth Vader Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Dagobah Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Jabba's Palace Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Jabba's Palace Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Luke Skywalker versus a rancor Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Jabba's fall Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Endor Courtesy of Lucasfilm  B-Wings Courtesy of Lucasfilm  Luke Skywalker versus Emperor Palpatine Courtesy of Lucasfilm _Read next:_ [_The Funk Awakens When Daft Punk Meets_ ](http://time.com/4011038/daft-punk-star-wars-mash-up/?iid=time%5Freadnext "undefined")[Star Wars](http://time.com/4011038/daft-punk-star-wars-mash-up/?iid=time%5Freadnext "undefined") [_Download TIME’s mobile app for iOS to have your world explained wherever you go_](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/time-mobile/id328218429 "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4010014/j-j-abrams-star-wars-force-awakens-villain-nazi/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4010014/j-j-abrams-star-wars-force-awakens-villain-nazi/"},"headline":"J.J. 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