John Boyega, known for portraying Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, has shared his surprising expectations about Finn’s character arc that differ significantly from what was shown on screen. Boyega envisioned a storyline where Finn’s Force sensitivity would play a much larger role, shaping his destiny alongside Daisy Ridley’s Rey in a more conflicted and intense narrative.
John Boyega’s Original Ideas for Finn’s Role in the Saga
In the 2015 film Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Boyega’s character Finn is introduced as a stormtrooper who defects from the First Order and becomes an important ally to Rey and Poe Dameron, played by Oscar Isaac. While the film hinted at Finn possibly being Force-sensitive, this element remained underdeveloped in the later sequels, leaving Finn’s journey feeling incomplete to some fans and critics.
During a discussion at Fan Expo Boston, Boyega revealed that he initially believed the filmmakers planned for Finn to have a force-related storyline that would parallel Rey’s. He even expected their characters to become adversaries, reflecting a duality similar to the iconic Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader conflict.
“I think I assumed he was Force-sensitive from The Force Awakens script or at least by the time I got to the end of The Force Awakens script. 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.” —John Boyega, Actor
How These Expectations Contrast with the Resulting Sequels
The Force Awakens was a critical and commercial success, but its sequels Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017) and Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) drew mixed and often divided opinions from audiences. One of the common criticisms concerned the underutilization of Finn’s potential Force sensitivity and the lack of a clear, fulfilling arc for his character.
Instead of focusing on Finn’s connection to the Force, the sequels primarily spotlighted Rey’s Jedi training and story, while Finn’s role was reduced. Boyega has expressed disappointment about this sidelining, pointing out the absence of a comprehensive plan guiding the trilogy’s narrative threads.
At Fan Expo Philadelphia earlier this year, Boyega suggested that a future Star Wars project might still explore Finn’s Force abilities if treated with the respect and planning the character deserves.
“So for me, everybody knows, it’s dependent on treating the character well, it’s dependent on fulfilling the arc that was teased quite a lot during the process. And hopefully, this time, it’s them approaching it by having a plan of what they’re gonna do throughout the whole series.” —John Boyega, Actor
Currently, no official announcements confirm Finn’s return in upcoming Star Wars films, although the recently revealed Star Wars: New Jedi Order, set to continue Rey’s story, could potentially include him. However, this project is still in early development stages and details remain uncertain.
Reflecting on the Impact and Future of Finn’s Journey
The storyline for Finn in The Last Jedi seemingly struggles with direction, leading to a subplot that feels disconnected from the main events. The Rise of Skywalker further narrows the focus to Rey, Kylo Ren, and Emperor Palpatine, which consequently diminishes Finn’s prominence to a supporting role that falls short of his initially suggested protagonist status.
Had Boyega’s vision of Finn’s Force sensitivity and the potential for conflict with Rey been realized, the Star Wars saga might have gained a richer, more dramatic layer. This storyline could have challenged viewers’ loyalties and deepened character development by exploring themes of alliance, rivalry, and identity within the Jedi mythos.
Despite the uncertainty, Finn’s Star Wars story remains open-ended. Boyega’s hope for a well-structured and respectful continuation hints at opportunities for this character to evolve meaningfully in future installments, potentially reshaping the franchise’s trajectory.
