At Fan Expo Boston, John Boyega shared insights into his initial thoughts regarding the development of the John Boyega Finn Rey arc in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. After reading the script for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Boyega believed that the storyline was setting up Finn and Rey to transition from close allies to adversaries, similar to the dynamic between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequel films. He expected a complex rivalry to unfold, involving betrayal and conflict between the two characters.
Boyega’s View on Finn’s Force Sensitivity and Storyline Misdirection
During his discussion, Boyega remarked,
“I think I assumed [Finn] was Force-sensitive from The Force Awakens script or at least by the time I got to the end of The Force Awakens script,”
and added,
“I thought they were planning dual Jedis. I actually thought that they would Obi-Wan and Darth Vader us a bit. That we would turn against each other or something along those lines.”
This anticipation was partly due to marketing materials that highlighted Finn wielding the iconic Skywalker lightsaber, hinting at a Force-related development for his character.
However, the narrative took a different direction, with Rey emerging as the primary Force-sensitive protagonist. Boyega expressed disappointment over how Finn’s character was sidelined in the later films, despite his significant introduction in The Force Awakens. This sidelining contributed to his frustration with Disney’s handling of the sequel trilogy’s character arcs.
The Underexplored Potential of Finn’s Force Abilities
The Rise of Skywalker confirms that Finn possesses Force sensitivity, yet this aspect of his character is minimally explored and lacks resolution. Key moments, such as Finn revealing this truth to Rey, were filmed but ultimately omitted from the final cut. It remains uncertain if future Star Wars projects will develop Finn’s Force abilities further. Meanwhile, Finn’s story continues in extended lore, including the Star Wars: The Last Order novel, which follows Finn and Jannah undertaking a mission to aid young prisoners held captive by the First Order.
Possible Impact of a Rivalry Between Finn and Rey on the Sequel Trilogy
A narrative where Finn and Rey become adversaries would likely have stirred controversy. Kylo Ren, portrayed by Adam Driver, became a central villain thanks to his complex characterization, and relegating him by having Finn or Rey take his role could have diminished that impact. Still, a rivalry based on friendship turned conflict might have offered emotionally rich storytelling, reflecting the powerful tensions seen in Anakin and Obi-Wan’s relationship from the prequels. The chemistry and camaraderie between Finn and Rey established in The Force Awakens could have provided a meaningful foundation for such a dramatic arc.
Potential Future Directions for Finn and Rey’s Relationship
The concept of a divided friendship between Finn and Rey might be revisited in the proposed Star Wars: New Jedi Order film, which is expected to depict Rey leading a new generation of Jedi. Finn could play a role as an ally helping to establish a new Jedi Temple, with their relationship eventually fracturing over philosophical or strategic differences. However, the New Jedi Order project has struggled with development delays and changes in writers, and there is no confirmation that Boyega will return. Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey, has suggested the possibility of working with new actors, implying that Finn’s story on screen may have concluded.
