John Boyega, known for his portrayal of Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, recently shared insights into his original expectations for his character's journey. During an appearance at Fan Expo Boston (via ScreenRant), Boyega revealed that he anticipated a storyline where Finn and Rey would develop into "dual Jedi," potentially mirroring the complex relationship between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. He told panel attendees, “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.”
Boyega's comments shed light on the initial direction he believed Finn's character would take. In The Force Awakens, Finn is introduced as a former stormtrooper who defects from the First Order, aligning himself with the Resistance. The film hints at his potential Force sensitivity, especially during his confrontation with Kylo Ren. Boyega noted that he assumed Finn's Force abilities would be explored further, leading to a potential showdown with Rey.
However, as the trilogy progressed, Finn's storyline diverged from these expectations. In The Last Jedi, his role becomes more peripheral, focusing on a subplot with Rose Tico. The Rise of Skywalker briefly touches upon Finn's Force sensitivity, but his potential Jedi storyline was never fully developed, and Boyega’s anticipated dynamic between Finn and Rey doesn't materialize. The actor expressed disappointment over this missed opportunity, stating, “It’s dependent on treating the character well, it’s dependent on fulfilling the arc that was teased quite a lot during the process.”
Despite his feelings about Disney’s handling of Finn’s character, Boyega remains open to returning to the Star Wars universe, provided the storytelling aligns with his values and offers a meaningful role. In an Entertainment Weekly article, he expressed enthusiasm for Daisy Ridley's return as Rey in an upcoming film, stating, “I’m just looking forward... to see if it’s real, because we have had a few Star Wars announcements... I’m just hoping that Daisy gets that chance to shine.” He also said be believes Finn would’ve stolen Rey away from Ben Solo, “If I was Finn there, Finn should've had a line where he'd say, 'Girl, leave him be. Come home with me.’”
Looking ahead, there’s still plenty of potential for Finn’s character (and more of the sequel trilogy cast) to return. The most logical place for a return would, of course, be the upcoming Daisy Ridley project, which is rumored to usher in an entirely new age within the Star Wars saga. It’s possible that Finn, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), and new characters could come into play alongside Naomi Ackie, who plays Jannah – a character believed to be Lando Calrissian’s daughter. With Boyega’s interest in exploring Finn’s potential, the Star Wars galaxy could offer some long-awaited answers and growth for his character in upcoming projects.