The Star Wars and Star Trek franchises each command passionate followings, yet crossover fans remain uncommon. While Lucasfilm’s expansive Galaxy Far, Far Away universe has achieved notable success, both franchises have distinct strengths and weaknesses. John Boyega, known for portraying Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, shared his perspective on these sci-fi giants during a recent appearance at Dragon Con.
Boyega explained where his allegiance lies between these iconic space operas, highlighting his long-standing connection with Star Wars while acknowledging aspects of Star Trek that he admires. The actor also reflected on the challenges within his own Star Wars journey, specifically addressing the character development struggles Finn faced amid conflicting visions from directors J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson.
Boyega’s Take on the Star Wars and Star Trek Fanbases
At Dragon Con, Boyega candidly described his stance on Star Trek in contrast to Star Wars fandom. He shared,
“I’m an old school Star Wars fan, and if you’re a Trekkie and you’ve met me at the booths, you would find that I would mention that I don’t like Star Trek,”
Boyega said.
“I just think that on the Trekkie side, they like to talk about it. On the Star Wars side, we just get active. With Star Wars, you’ve got to talk while the war is going on.”
Despite his criticisms of the Star Trek fan culture, Boyega admitted that Star Wars could benefit from Star Trek’s approach to storytelling.
“In Star Trek, they give you time to have discussions. I think there’s something Star Wars can learn from that, actually. In terms of me appearing in [Star Trek], I’ve got to stay on team. I’m a lightsaber guy.”
Behind the Scenes: Abrams’ Role in Both Franchises
J.J. Abrams bridges both worlds, having directed Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness before taking charge of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker. His involvement brought a unique insight into the challenges and controversies that arose from contributing to these beloved universes. Fans have often expressed divided opinions on Abrams’ creative choices, reflecting the intensity surrounding both franchises’ continued evolution.
Boyega Confronts Racism in the Star Wars Community
Earlier this year, Boyega publicly addressed the racism he faced while playing Finn, challenging toxic behaviors within the Star Wars fandom. He remarked,
“Lemme tell ya, Star Wars always had the vibe of being in the most whitest, elite space,”
adding,
“It’s a franchise that’s so white that a Black person existing in [it] was something.”
He criticized dismissive arguments some fans use to downplay diversity, stating,
“You can always tell it’s something when some Star Wars fans try to say, ‘Well, we had Lando Calrissian and had Samuel L. Jackson!’”
Boyega continued,
“It’s like telling me how many cookie chips are in the cookie dough. It’s like, they just scattered that in there, bro!”
Further emphasizing the backlash against leading Black actors, he noted,
“They’re okay with us playing the best friend, but once we touch their heroes, once we lead, once we trailblaze, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, it’s just a bit too much! They’re pandering.’”
Future Appearances and the Path Ahead for Boyega’s Star Wars Role
With Daisy Ridley expected to return as Rey in an upcoming Star Wars film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, speculation surrounds whether Boyega will reprise the role of Finn. So far, no announcements suggest his return, and Boyega’s own reluctance to revisit the character leaves fans uncertain. Viewers may yet discover if Finn’s story includes revealing his Force sensitivity to Rey in future installments.
The ongoing debate about representation, storytelling direction, and franchise loyalty maintains a tense atmosphere among fans and creators. John Boyega’s insights highlight the complicated intersection of fandom, race, and creative vision within these sci-fi institutions.
