Honestly, if you were online back in 2014 when that first The Force Awakens teaser dropped, you remember the shot. A sweaty, panicked Stormtrooper pops up into the frame against the dunes of Jakku. It was electric. John Boyega, the actor who brought Finn to life, wasn't just another face in the galaxy. He was the hook. For the first time, we were going to see the human being under the plastic white armor. A defector. A hero born from the "bad guys."
But by the time the credits rolled on The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, that excitement felt kinda... deflated? You aren't alone if you felt like Finn was done dirty.
Boyega himself has been famously candid about this. He’s not the type to just sit back and take the "I'm just happy to be here" corporate line. In the years since the sequel trilogy wrapped, he has become one of the most vocal critics of how major franchises handle characters of color. He didn't just play a role; he lived the reality of being a Black lead in a massive, sometimes toxic, fandom.
The Rise and Sidelining of Finn
John Boyega didn't just stumble into Star Wars. He was already a bit of a cult legend for Attack the Block (2011), where he played Moses. J.J. Abrams saw that raw charisma and knew he had his guy. When Boyega was cast, it felt like a shift in the Force. We were promised a story about a Stormtrooper who finds his soul.
In The Force Awakens, Finn is central. He’s the bridge between the old guard and the new. He holds the lightsaber. He fights Kylo Ren. Then, something shifted.
By The Last Jedi, Finn was sent on a side quest to Canto Bight. While Rey was off learning the ways of the Force with Luke, Finn was basically learning that "war is bad," something a former child soldier probably already knew. By the final film, his biggest contribution seemed to be yelling "Rey!" across various planets.
John Boyega didn't hold back in a 2020 interview with British GQ. He basically told Disney: don't bring out a Black character, market them to be more important than they are, and then push them to the side. It was a mic-drop moment. He pointed out that while Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley got all the nuance and "nuisance" of great character writing, the supporting cast of color—including Kelly Marie Tran and Oscar Isaac—felt pushed to the periphery.
What Could Have Been: The "Jedi Finn" Theory
One of the biggest gripes fans have is the "Force-sensitive" tease that went nowhere. Throughout the final movie, Finn is clearly trying to tell Rey something. It’s heavily implied he’s Force-sensitive. He feels things in the Force. He senses the final battle.
Yet, we never got the payoff.
Recently, at Florida Supercon 2025, Boyega talked about what he would've done if he were a producer from the start. His vision? Way more respect for the legacy. He mentioned he wouldn't have just "gotten rid of" Luke or Han so quickly. He wanted to see characters struggle. He wanted to see Finn actually train.
"Luke Skywalker wouldn't be disappearing on a rock," Boyega said. "Hell no."
He’s a massive fan of the Old Republic and Force Unleashed stories. He wanted that grit. He wanted Finn to be a fully realized warrior, not just a guy running through picturesque scenery.
Life After the Galaxy: A Powerhouse Career
If you think Boyega's career slowed down after he hung up the blaster, you haven't been paying attention. He didn't need the Millennium Falcon to stay relevant. He pivoted to projects that actually meant something to him.
- Small Axe (2020): Boyega won a Golden Globe for his role as Leroy Logan in Steve McQueen’s anthology. This was a turning point. It proved he was a heavyweight dramatic actor.
- Breaking (2022): This one is heartbreaking. He plays a veteran who robs a bank out of pure desperation. It's a masterclass in tension.
- They Cloned Tyrone (2023): If you haven't seen this on Netflix, go now. He plays multiple roles in a weird, sci-fi, "blaxploitation" homage. It's brilliant.
- The Woman King (2022): Playing King Ghezo alongside Viola Davis showed his range as a regal, complex leader.
Boyega is also a mogul in the making. His company, UpperRoom Productions, has been making big moves. They signed a massive deal with Netflix to develop non-English language films focused on African stories. He’s not just waiting for a seat at the table; he’s building his own dining room.
Will Finn Ever Return to Star Wars?
This is the $4 billion question. With Daisy Ridley returning for a new Jedi Order movie directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, everyone wants to know if Finn will finally get his Jedi training.
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As of early 2026, the answer is... complicated.
Boyega has softened his stance a bit, but he has conditions. He told fans at Liverpool Comic Con that he’d only really come back if the script was great and if his "bromance" partner Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) came back too. He’s very protective of that bond.
"Me and Oscar are very stubborn," he joked.
He’s genuinely happy for Daisy Ridley, though. He’s mentioned he's excited to see her "shine in a franchise that’s finally hers." It’s clear there’s no bad blood with his co-stars, just a very real frustration with the corporate machine that steered the story.
The Otis Redding Biopic and Beyond
Right now, Boyega is busy with Otis & Zelma, where he’s playing the legendary soul singer Otis Redding. It’s a huge role. He’s also finally getting back to Attack the Block 2, returning to the character of Moses that started it all.
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He’s busy. He’s thriving. He’s outspoken.
Whether or not we ever see Finn ignite a green or blue lightsaber, John Boyega has already won. He took the platform Star Wars gave him and used it to demand better for the actors who come after him. He didn't just play a hero; he stood up like one.
What you can do right now to support Boyega’s work:
- Watch "Small Axe: Red, White and Blue": If you want to see the performance that officially moved him from "franchise star" to "prestige actor," this is it. It’s on Amazon Prime.
- Check out UpperRoom’s Slate: Keep an eye on Netflix for projects produced by Boyega. Supporting independent, African-focused stories is exactly what he’s been fighting for.
- Revisit "They Cloned Tyrone": It’s arguably his best work. It’s funny, smart, and shows the kind of sci-fi he actually enjoys making—stories with teeth.
- Follow his production news: Boyega is often more active in discussing his production company than his old Star Wars roles. If you want to know what the future of cinema looks like, follow his lead.