'Star Wars: Episode 8' spoilers: General Hux's back-story revealed

General Hux will no longer be a mysterious character in “Star Wars: Episode 8.” The new canon books “Aftermath” reveal details about the character’s background and his place in the First Order.

[Spoiler alert]

General Hux’s (Domhnall Gleeson) full name is Armitage Hux. He is an important figure in the First Order, who has an uneasy relationship with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). In the canon book “Life Debt: Aftermath” it has been revealed that Hux is the illegitimate son of an Imperial officer, Radio Times reports.

Armitage and his father Brendol Hux escaped to unknown regions of the galaxy after the fall of the Empire. When the First Order soon emerged, Gleeson’s character was seen as a general and one of the founding members of the new power.

Like his father, Armitage took on the responsibility of training the next generation of elite Stormtroopers to take on the New Republic. The remnant forces of the Empire had fled with the general, allowing him to help forge the First Order in its place.

Given this new information, it would appear that the rivalry between Kylo Ren and General Hux is only set to intensify in “Star Wars: Episode 8.” While one of them is in charge of the army, the other has the Knights of Ren and is powerful in using the Force.

There was an intense scene in “The Force Awakens,” in which Kylo Ren questions the prowess and loyalty of the new Stormtroopers. He even suggested that Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) should consider using a clone army instead. This made Hux give a fiery defense of his troops, who have been trained and programmed since birth.

“Star Wars: Episode 8” is expected to focus on the training of Kylo Ren under the guidance of Supreme Leader Snoke. Meanwhile, General Hux will be busy rebuilding the First Order forces after the terrible setback in “The Force Awakens.”