Why John Boyega Star Wars Return As Finn Is Unlikely According To Actor
Sophia Bowman 
Actor and producer, John Boyega, describes why it's unlikely that he will return as Finn to any future Star Wars films or television shows.
John Boyega describes why it's unlikely that he will return as Finn to the Star Wars franchise. Boyega is known for such roles as Moses in Attack the Block, Jake Pentecost in Pacific Rim: Uprising, and Finn in Star Wars Episodes VII, VIII, and IX. Boyega will reprise his role as Moses in Attack the Block 2 and is also attached as a producer on the film being written and directed by Joe Cornish, the original writer, and director of Attack the Block.
Boyega will be starring alongside Jamie Foxx and Teyonah Parris in Juel Taylor's upcoming film, They Cloned Tyrone, and share the screen with Viola Davis in the highly anticipated historical epic by Gina Prince-Bythewood, The Woman King. Since Boyega's time, while participating in the Star Wars franchise, he's reflected on the racist backlash he received from Star Wars fans who did not want a Black man to be a part of the franchise. He's also looked back on how Lucasfilm did not offer much support while Star Wars fans were harassing him. He also feels Lucasfilm decided to sideline his character in later Star Wars films in favor of giving more screen time and better-developed story arcs to the white characters in the movie.
In an interview with John Fugelsang on SiriusXM, Boyega details why he is not likely to return as Finn to the Star Wars franchise. Boyega notes that he feels like Finn is at a point for fans to enjoy him in other mediums such as animated projects or video games, but that his direct involvement with the character is no longer needed. He also details that he believes diversifying his acting career, as he has done recently with projects such as They Cloned Tyrone and The Woman King is the best path forward for him. A full quote from Boyega can be read below:
“At this point I’m cool off it. I’m good off it. I think to be fair, the allies that I’ve found within Juel Taylor, Jamie Foxx, Teyonah Parris, Viola Davis, all these people I’ve been working with, versatility is my path. And I think Finn is at a good, you know, confirmation point where you can just you know, enjoy him in other things, the video games, the animation, but I feel like yeah seven to nine was good for me.”
Considering the awful reception from the Star Wars fan base that Boyega received when he joined the franchise, it makes sense that he would choose to move on to other projects where fans genuinely appreciate his work. Although Boyega notes he is glad that Lucasfilm is taking more of a supportive stand now to defend actors such as Moses Ingram, facing similar backlash to what Boyega met. If Boyega has the chance to work with creatives such as Taylor, Davis, Foxx, and Parris, whom he knows will have his back, it seems wise to make sure that his schedule is more open by deciding not to participate in future Star Wars projects. In this way, Boyega not only will have a chance to take on future roles that will allow him to expand his acting repertoire but also allows him to meet more creatives in the industry intent on supporting Black actors.
Although Star Wars fans who did support Boyega's participation in the films as Finn may be initially disappointed with the news that he's unlikely to return to the franchise, Boyega has a long career ahead of him. His skills as an actor speak for themselves, and the possibility of seeing him in a variety of new roles is exciting, as is what new projects Boyega will take on as a producer under his Upperroom Entertainment Limited banner. Viewers will have to continue following what films and television series Boyega may take on next.
Sources: John Boyega via SiriusXM
