John Boyega Reveals the Jedi Rivalry Arc Finn Never Got in Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

At Fan Expo Boston, John Boyega revealed that his original vision for Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy was far different from what audiences ultimately saw. Boyega, who portrayed the former Stormtrooper turned Resistance fighter, said he assumed after reading The Force Awakens script that Finn would be revealed as Force-sensitive and eventually train as a Jedi alongside Rey. In his mind, their parallel journeys would culminate in a dramatic confrontation reminiscent of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, with the two friends turned adversaries through the Force.

That imagined arc never materialized. Following The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, Boyega openly expressed dissatisfaction with how his character’s role evolved. In a 2020 GQ interview, he criticized Disney for heavily marketing Finn as a central figure—especially as a way to promote diversity—only to sideline him in the actual films. He argued that while the studio had clear plans for leads Daisy Ridley (Rey) and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), actors like Kelly Marie Tran and himself were underserved, and that the expectation for him to publicly frame the experience as positive was disingenuous.

Despite his criticisms, Boyega has maintained that he is still a “massive” Star Wars fan. In a 2023 Total Film interview, he described himself as deeply invested in the galaxy’s lore, referencing his own input on set about canon details—such as pointing out that characters in The Rise of Skywalker should already know about jet troopers from The Clone Wars. He also cited his enthusiasm for Battlefront video games and broader Star Wars media as part of his enduring connection to the franchise.

Boyega’s comments highlight both the creative possibilities that actors imagine for their characters and the disconnect that can occur between those expectations and the final product. His envisioned arc for Finn—transforming from a disillusioned Stormtrooper to a Force-wielding hero in conflict with Rey—remains one of the many “what could have been” scenarios still discussed among fans. Even with his critiques of the filmmaking process, Boyega’s ongoing engagement with Star Wars underscores the complex relationship between an actor and the mythos they help bring to life.