Star Wars 8: Kylo Ren 'is not Han and Leia's son'

Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens was both praised and criticised for its echoes of the original film trilogy.

One of the most explicit parallels between the first three episodes and JJ Abrams' reboot was the death of Han Solo at the hands of Kylo Ren, which many fans saw as mirroring Darth Vader's fatal duel with his son, Luke Skywalker.

Most assumed that yet another Skywalker had killed his own father – Kylo's mother, Princess Leia Organa, being Luke's sister.

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But according to a new theory, Kylo Ren may not be Han and Leia's son at all – but rather a nephew or more distant relative.

"If you watch through The Force Awakens, never once is it specifically said that Kylo is Han and Leia's son," says Reddit user LemmyGhost.

"Han will say things such as 'We miss you' and Leia will say things such as 'Bring our son home'. I am fairly sure Kylo will end up being their nephew, [while] the son they speak of is a different character."

LemmyGhost adds: "Every single line is written in a veiled sort of way, so that later when their true son is revealed we can re-watch and see that this was never specifically said."

Not everyone agrees with the theory, however. Another user says the novel Bloodline, which is regarded as part of the new official Star Wars cannon, confirms the relationship.

"I saw this theory around a few months ago but there's no doubt after Bloodlines," says DremoraGirl. "He's their son 100 per cent."

All may be revealed when Star Wars 8 is released in December 2017.