In the first teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, a fierce-looking TIE Fighter chases after Rey who, in an acrobatic display of Jedi skills, flips over it, lightsaber in hand. That TIE Fighter was presumed to belong to Kylo Ren, a hypothesis seemingly confirmed thanks to a shot of him walking from it in the D23 special look. We now know that Kylo Ren’s Rise of Skywalker TIE Fighter has a badass name.
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Kylo Ren’s new TIE Fighter in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is called ‘The Whisper’ or the ‘TIE Whisper.’ This name comes, as so many reveals for big blockbusters do these days, from a toy. Twitter user @_selenejade got a sneak peek at some of the merchandise from J.J. Abrams’ upcoming film and that merchandise gave away the name of the ship Kylo will be piloting in the Skywalker Saga’s concluding chapter.
Based on the merchandise she saw, Selene was able to confirm that Kylo Ren is indeed in the TIE Fighter Rey vaults over in the teaser for the film and he is wearing his repaired and cracked red and black helmet. One of the toys she got a look at was the ‘Supreme Leader Kylo Ren in TIE Whisper’ Funko Pop!, confirming Kylo’s new title and revealing the intriguing designation of his new TIE Fighter.
In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Kylo Ren flew a ship similar to a TIE/IN Interceptor called the TIE Silencer. That angular fighter was more advanced than anything else in the First Order and this TIE Whisper seems like it could be the next evolution of that.
In addition to looking super cool, with red and black coloring and an ultra-aggressive design, the TIE Whisper name implies that Kylo’s ship doesn’t just have a faster engine, nicer upholstery and a better sound system than the standard TIE Fighter. The Whisper name would seem to indicate that Kylo Ren’s ship is well, quiet as a whisper.
TIE Fighters are known for their screaming sound, like a banshee heralding your death. This works because TIE Fighters are usually acting as part of a huge force, with the backing of a Star Destroyer behind them. In the teaser for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, it doesn’t seem like Kylo’s ship really has that same scream.
Based on the name, it seems like Kylo’s TIE Whisper is some kind of stealth ship, one that doesn't announce its arrival until its already too late for you. Kylo Ren is now The Supreme Leader of the First Order with a massive force at his disposal, so why would he need a stealth ship? Based on the rumors and speculation out there, there could be a couple reasons Kylo might want to get around the galaxy undetected.
If Kylo is seeking to hunt Rey and take her out or capture her, he might want to do it himself and choose to sneak in. Not announcing himself to the Resistance with a screaming TIE Fighter might be a shrewd approach. There has also been talk of the Unknown Regions and what’s going on with Emperor Palpatine and where the Knights of Ren have been. Perhaps Kylo takes his TIE Whisper to these places without a First Order escort.
Along those lines, if Kylo is seeking some kind of Sith artifacts, he may need to go about his business in a clandestine fashion and a stealth ship would come in handy. Or maybe this badass name just sounded cool to J.J. Abrams and that’s why it’s called the TIE Whisper.
We’ll find out what Kylo Ren is up to in his TIE Whisper and everything else when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker blasts into theaters on December 20. Check out our 2019 release schedule to see what movies are headed your way this fall.
