In September, John Boyega candidlydiscussed his frustrationwith how Disney sidelined Finn and other characters of color in theStar Warssequel trilogy. It appears Boyega’s comments did not fall on deaf ears as the company later reached out to him hoping to discuss his criticisms.
Boyega’s Finn was introduced to audiences inStar Wars: The Force Awakens, the first installment of Disney’s sequel trilogy. As a former stormtrooper who joinsDaisy Ridley’s Reyon a journey to find the missing Luke Skywalker, the character played a significant role in the film and was featured prominently in the marketing. However, the following two films in the Skywalker saga sidelined Finn from the main story, particularly the closing chapter of the new trilogy,The Rise of Skywalker.
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While criticizing Disney’s handling of theStar Warssequels, Boyega noted that the filmmakers had no difficulty developing storylines for the white actors while both Finn and Kelly Marie Tran’s Rose Tico received smaller roles. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Boyega revealed that his comments prompted Disney to arrange what he referred to as an “honest” and “very transparent” conversation about his experience working ontheStar Warsfilms. “There was a lot of explaining on their end in terms of the way they saw things. They gave me a chance also to explain what my experience was like,” Boyega said. “I’d hope that me being so open with my career, at this stage, would help the next man, the guy that wants to be the assistant DOP, the guy that wants to be a producer. I hope that the conversation is not such a taboo or elephant in the room now, because someone just came and said it.”
Despite his issues with Disney’s treatment ofStar Wars’characters of color, Boyega noted that his experience with the franchise is what inspired him to form his own production company, UpperRoom Productions. “With my acting career and with my earned privilege I’m just trying to use that to expand the opportunity, much like what we experienced with coming on set [onSmall Axe],” he said. “We were really shocked to be surrounded by Black individuals, people that otherwise I would never see on a film set.”
Finn and Rose Tico were originally going to play a more significant role inStar Wars: Episode IXwhen Colin Trevorrow was attached to direct. Script leaks revealed Finn and Rose’s storyline involvedthe duo leading the revolution on Coruscant, a plot that was clearly axed once Trevorrow exited due to creative differences with Lucasfilm and director J. J. Abrams returned to close out the sequel trilogy.
While Boyega may be finished with theStar Warsfranchise, Tran will reprise her role as Rose Tico inThe Lego Star Wars Holiday Specialfor Disney+. She will be joined byThe Rise of Skywalkerco-stars Billy Dee Williams and Anthony Daniels.
TheStar Warssaga is now available on Disney+
