John Boyega does not want to return to a galaxy far, far away, which creates a massive problem for Star Wars: Episode 10. Disney and Lucasfilm relaunched the Star Wars franchise less than a decade ago by bringing original trilogy stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford back after over 30 years. Each received a massive role in the trilogy to help pass the baton to a new leading trio of Daisy Ridley's Rey, John Boyega's Finn, and Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron. It has long been expected that the new trio would return for Star Wars 10 and beyond, but John Boyega saying his Star Wars return is unlikely could stop that.
Audiences were introduced to John Boyega's rogue Stormtrooper FN-2187 in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and he was immediately thrust into a lead role. Thanks to his continued adventures with Rey and Poe, all three of them surviving Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker gives Lucasfilm a chance to bring the trio back for Star Wars: Episode 10. The studio has yet to make any official movement on the film, but Kathleen Kennedy has teased her desire to tell stories with Rey, Finn, and Poe set after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Rumors about Star Wars 10's development are still unconfirmed, as Disney+ has become Lucasfilm's primary focus for new Star Wars content.
Still, it is expected that Star Wars: Episode 10 will happen at some point, whether that be in five years or 25 years. John Boyega's new thoughts on returning as Finn present Lucasfilm with a Star Wars 10 problem. Daisy Ridley has routinely said she is happy to return as Rey at some point, while even Oscar Isaac changed his tune and now would play Poe again under the right circumstance. After previously being optimistic about returning as Finn, Boyega's Star Wars update casts some doubt on a new trilogy happening or makes it impossible for Star Wars: Episode 10 to tell the right story.
Why John Boyega Is Happy To Be Done With Star Wars
John Boyega not being interested in returning to Star Wars comes from a few different perspectives. For starters, he experienced plenty of harassment and constantly dealt with racist attacks due to being a Black man in a lead Star Wars role. This happened almost immediately after Finn's Stormtrooper life was revealed, but it continued for years after. And even as much as those who loved Finn and Boyega's portrayal of him could share their support, the negativity and racism from some still made loud waves. The actor eventually expressed his frustrations with dealing with these types of comments and how little Lucasfilm did to help or support him. Boyega has spoken honestly with Lucasfilm about these thoughts and watched as the studio has learned to do better (such as supporting Moses Ingram after she encountered racist online attacks). Still, it unsurprisingly seems like he wants to distance himself to avoid future harassment.
It is also known that Boyega grew frustrated with Finn's role as the sequel trilogy progressed. Star Wars: The Force Awakens' trailers made it look like he would be the main hero and Jedi that the films would follow. While revealing Rey was the Force-sensitive one between them was incredible, it left Finn without a clear future. Boyega was disappointed to see Finn become more of a supporting character in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Now that he has put the role behind him, Boyega seems content with where Finn's story left off and would not want to get involved again only to see his potential squandered again.
John Boyega's happiness without Star Wars has also impacted him. He has found that working with different creators and actors whom he greatly admires and telling stories with more significance is more rewarding than being in a massive blockbuster and receiving a big payday. Through roles like in Small Axe, Boyega continues to test himself as an actor through this approach and has delivered some of his best work. He has even spoken about the fun he has had diving back into the Star Wars shows and video games as a fan instead of someone actively involved in the franchise.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Finally Teased Finn’s Jedi Future
The disappointing aspect of John Boyega wanting to move on from Star Wars is that the franchise is set up to tell the Finn story everyone wanted. It took almost the entirety of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's story, but J.J. Abrams used the movie to confirm that Finn is Force-sensitive. The massive development means that Finn becoming a Jedi is almost certainly where his story would go next. Considering everyone from viewers to John Boyega thought Finn wielding a lightsaber in The Force Awakens was a sign of him doing it more in the trilogy, Finn's Jedi future that The Rise of Skywalker sets up means Lucasfilm would finally be able to make good on that tease in Star Wars: Episode 10.
Finn being Force-sensitive seemingly set him up to train under Rey in the next Star Wars trilogy. It has been widely speculated that Rey will rebuild the Jedi Order and train the next generation of Force users in the galaxy. Finn could be her first student potentially and even a Jedi Master tasked with training others, depending on how much time passed when Star Wars: Episode 10 begins. There are theories that Finn could turn to the dark side as part of his Force journey, but that would betray the character's good nature the sequel trilogy made sure to establish. Instead, Finn's Jedi story could see him become one of the galaxy's greatest protectors and help Rey fight whoever Star Wars 10's villain would be.
Star Wars 10 Can’t Happen Without John Boyega & Finn
Thanks to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's setup, it is clear that Star Wars: Episode 10 needs John Boyega and Finn. He is last seen hugging Rey and Poe as they celebrate the Resistance taking down the Empire once and for all. Just as Lucasfilm brought back Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo for another trilogy, it would seem that Rey, Finn, and Poe would be essential to a new trilogy and finally step out from under the shadow of the original trio. However, Boyega not returning for Star Wars 10 would mean one trio member is absent. Lucasfilm can not repeat the sequel trilogy's mistake of not putting Luke, Leia, and Han in a scene together but on a grander scale by leaving Finn out of the trilogy entirely.
Finn is arguably the trio member most essential to make it work too. He is very close to Rey and Poe individually, and his friendship with them brings the trio together. The idea that Star Wars: Episode 10 would need to revolve around Rey and Poe without Finn is strange even to consider. It also would leave Lucasfilm in a difficult position of having to explain why Finn is not around, which would only remind viewers of John Boyega's absence. Other characters like Jannah or Rose Tico could step up into a bigger role or a new character could be introduced to fill the void. However, replacing Finn's spot as one of the leads with another character would likely not work.
Will John Boyega Really Not Return For Star Wars 10?
Even though John Boyega says he will not return to Star Wars, it is important to remember that this is where he stands right now and that things can change. Not even three years have passed since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's release, so Boyega not being eager to jump back into the franchise is not too surprising. If Lucasfilm were planning on moving forward with Star Wars: Episode 10 in the immediate future, the star's stance on not returning would be more concerning. However, it seems that the movie is nowhere close to happening, giving Boyega plenty of time to move on from the franchise and potentially feeling the urge to play Finn again.
John Boyega could ultimately feel reluctant about returning as Finn for an entirely new Star Wars trilogy, but coming back for Star Wars: Episode 10 at least could be done to help wrap up Finn's story. The lure of working with Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac again could help convince him to come back too. He has also spoken highly of J.J. Abrams and noted he'd be happy if he was involved again. Lucasfilm could even bring some of John Boyega's recent collaborators into the fold. Gina Prince-Bythewood, Steve McQueen, Kathryn Bigelow, and Joe Cornish would be exciting choices to direct Star Wars 10. Ultimately, it will be very surprising if John Boyega does not return in Star Wars: Episode 10 as Finn in some capacity.
