The official Star Wars Facebook account posted about the new option, saying, “Awaken the Force within by adding Kylo Ren’s lightsaber to your profile picture.” If the red lightsaber is too ominous for you, though, there’s also the choice of opting for the more benign one instead, as TechCrunch points out. It’s even possible to set the exact date when you want your photo to return to normal.
The change is easy to make. In order to give your profile picture the lightsaber makeover, all you have to do is click the Try It button from the Star Wars account’s post here. Alternatively, as your friends’ altered photos start to pop up in your newsfeed, they’ll also feature the same button, giving you plenty of opportunities to show your love for the film franchise. Your biggest challenge will likely be the internal debate over which color lightsaber to choose.
Facebook’s temporary profile pictures have celebrated and commemorated a variety of notable events recently — from the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage to honoring the victims of the tragic attacks in Paris on November 13. To Star Wars fans, the upcoming opening of The Force Awakens is indeed momentous, and the new feature allows them to convey their excitement. The film is of course highly anticipated, coming a decade after the most recent installment in the series, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Episode VII is expected to break box office records over its opening weekend and potentially draw in $220 million, according to industry analysts. Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens on December 18.
