Everyone remembers the first teaser for The Force Awakens. That sudden, sweaty close-up of a Stormtrooper gasping for air in the Jakku desert. It was John Boyega. At that moment, the world thought we were getting something truly revolutionary: a defector’s perspective on the Galactic Empire’s successor. Finn, originally designated FN-2187, wasn't just another soldier. He was the heart of a new trilogy. Or at least, he was supposed to be.
Honestly, if you look back at the marketing for that 2015 launch, the bait-and-switch regarding Finn’s Jedi potential remains one of the most contentious points in modern fandom. He held the Skywalker lightsaber. He stood his ground against Kylo Ren. But as the trilogy progressed, his role felt increasingly sidelined, leading to a massive cultural conversation about how Hollywood treats its diverse leads.
The Casting of John Boyega as Finn
Before he was dodging TIE fighters, John Boyega was a breakout star from the South London sci-fi cult hit Attack the Block. J.J. Abrams saw something raw in him. Boyega brought a frantic, kinetic energy to Finn that felt human in a way the prequel characters sometimes lacked. He wasn't a stoic monk; he was a terrified kid trying to do the right thing.
The initial reception was a mix of overwhelming excitement and, unfortunately, a vocal minority of racist backlash. Boyega didn't blink. He leaned into the role, becoming the face of a new generation. But the behind-the-scenes reality was complex. While the actor Finn Star Wars fans saw on screen was cracking jokes with Poe Dameron, the narrative trajectory for the character was shifting under his feet.
Why the "Force Sensitive" Tease Mattered
Many fans feel cheated. It's a blunt way to put it, but it’s true. Throughout The Force Awakens, the imagery heavily implied Finn was the one. By the time The Last Jedi rolled around, Rian Johnson shifted the focus almost entirely to Rey’s lineage (or lack thereof) and Kylo’s redemption. Finn was sent on a side quest to Canto Bight.
While some defend the Rose Tico storyline as essential for Finn’s growth from "running away" to "fighting for a cause," others see it as a waste of Boyega’s charisma. He went from a potential Jedi to a secondary support character.
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The Controversy Surrounding the Sequel Trilogy
John Boyega has been incredibly vocal about his experience. This isn't just fan speculation; it’s a documented critique from the man himself. In a landmark 2020 interview with British GQ, Boyega called out Disney and Lucasfilm for not knowing what to do with characters of color.
"You get yourself involved in projects and you’re not necessarily going to like everything. [But] what I would say to Disney is do not bring out a black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side."
That quote sent shockwaves through the industry. It wasn't just about Star Wars. It was about a pattern in blockbuster filmmaking where diversity is used for the "poster" but not for the "plot."
The Poster Problem in China
One of the most damning pieces of evidence for Finn's diminishing importance was the international marketing. In the Chinese theatrical poster for The Force Awakens, Finn was significantly shrunk down compared to the US version. It was a move that many interpreted as a cynical attempt to appease regional biases, and it signaled a lack of institutional support for Boyega’s character from the very beginning.
What Really Happened to Finn's Arc?
In The Rise of Skywalker, there’s a recurring "secret" that Finn wants to tell Rey. He never says it on screen. J.J. Abrams later confirmed at a fan screening that Finn was trying to tell her he was Force-sensitive.
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Why wasn't that just in the movie?
It’s a bizarre choice to leave the protagonist's most significant character development to a post-movie Q&A session. This "Force-sensitivity" was hinted at when he "felt" the destruction of the Republic or when he sensed Rey's location on Exegol, but it never culminated in a payoff. He didn't get a saber. He didn't get a master.
The Chemistry with Oscar Isaac
We can't talk about Finn without talking about Poe Dameron. The chemistry between Boyega and Oscar Isaac was electric—so much so that a huge portion of the "Stormpilot" shipping community wanted them to be the franchise's first gay couple.
Both actors seemed down for it. Isaac has gone on record saying he pushed for a romance, but "Disney overlords" weren't ready. Instead, the final film introduced Keri Russell’s Zorii Bliss and Naomi Ackie’s Jannah to give both men "safe" heterosexual backstories. It felt forced to a lot of people. It felt like the studio was playing it safe at the expense of natural character chemistry.
The Future of Finn and John Boyega
For a long time, it seemed like Boyega was done with the galaxy far, far away. He moved on to impressive projects like Small Axe, Breaking, and The Woman King. He proved he didn't need a lightsaber to be a leading man.
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However, the rumors started swirling again in 2023 and 2024. With Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s upcoming film centered on Rey’s New Jedi Order, the question of Finn’s return is the elephant in the room. You can't really build a New Jedi Order without the guy who spent three movies discovering his own connection to the Force, right?
Boyega has softened his stance recently. He’s mentioned in various junkets that he’s open to returning if the story is right and if the "team" is the right one. This is a huge shift from his "I'm moved on" energy of 2020.
Why Finn Still Matters in 2026
Finn represents a bridge. He is the connection between the faceless evil of the First Order and the humanity of the Resistance. He’s the "everyman" in a world of space gods.
If Lucasfilm actually follows through on his Force-sensitivity, Finn could become the most interesting Jedi in the canon. A Jedi who knows exactly what it's like to be the "bad guy." A Jedi who understands brainwashing and redemption from the inside out.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you are following the development of the Star Wars franchise or analyzing the impact of Finn as a character, keep these specific points in mind for your own discussions or content:
- Watch the "Lego Star Wars" Specials: Interestingly, the non-canonical Lego specials often treat Finn as a Jedi-in-training, giving fans the content the movies denied them. It's a strange place to find character closure, but it’s there.
- Track the New Jedi Order Production: Keep a close eye on casting announcements for the Rey-centric film. If Boyega isn't in the initial list, it may indicate a continued divergence between his character and the main Skywalker Saga.
- Read "Shadow of the Sith": This novel by Adam Christopher provides more context on the era between the trilogies and helps flesh out the world Finn inherited.
- Support Original Projects: If you like Boyega's work, check out They Cloned Tyrone. It showcases the range and charisma that Star Wars struggled to fully utilize.
The legacy of Finn isn't just about what happened in the films; it’s about how those films changed the conversation regarding representation and narrative consistency in Hollywood. Whether he picks up a lightsaber again or remains a General of the Resistance, Finn changed the way we look at Stormtroopers forever.
To truly understand Finn's impact, you have to look past the script and at the cultural moment he created. He wasn't just a character; he was a catalyst for a much-needed industry reckoning.