Star Wars star John Boyega has high praise for Colin Trevorrow’s unused story for Star Wars Episode 9.
The Skywalker Saga has concluded but Star Wars fans are still fancying about the storylines that could have been in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. While the debate rages about the questionable stuff that went down in the final outing. That includes John Boyega, who starred in the final three installments in the franchise as Finn.
The British actor was introduced as a First Order stormtrooper in J.J. Abrams’ The Force Awakens, who deserted to the Resistance and fought alongside Rey (Daisy Ridley), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) in The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. But Finn’s arc was diminished as the sequel trilogy progressed, a fact that Boyega himself commented on recently, calling out Disney for pushing his character “to the side.”
The Jurassic World director, Colin Trevorrow was initially supposed to direct and write the ninth Star Wars episode, before departing the film in September 2017. However, Abrams returned to direct, after Rian Johnson’s controversial tenure on The Last Jedi, along with his screenwriting collaborator Chris Terrio. Together they rewrote the story from the top, but fans were pretty divided after seeing the movie.
John Boyega’s Star Wars Frustration is Justified
The franchise legacy is tainted a little by its poor reception. Things escalated when fans got their glimpse at Trevorrow’s plans when his screenplay leaked online in January. In that version, Finn and Rose lead a class uprising on the galactic capital planet, Coruscant.
Trevorrow’s unused script, titled Duel of the Fates, is now one of the biggest pipe dreams in the fanbase because of just how different and cooler the final outcome could have been. Among which, a massive scene exists that would have seen Finn liberate Storm Troopers and lead the rebellion with a massive rallying cry. Later an epic concept art from Trevorrow’s film (which you can see below) that showed Finn swinging the blue flag of rebellion, surrounded by Rose, Poe, and Chewbacca was released.
During a conversation with Yahoo Entertainment, John Boyega revealed his thoughts about a storyline that could have kept him front and center in the Skywalker Saga’s final act. Boyega adds that what makes characters so compelling is when they’re given moments like that, saying that black characters are rarely given that chance.
“I think Colin Trevorrow was going to tell that story,” Boyega mentioned while acknowledging the unused concept art that he evidently loved. “That image of Finn with the blue flag and you have the AT-ATs lined up with tribal marks, and the stormtroopers take off their helmets. That would have been sick! That would have been dope, man, hands down.”
He added:
“I felt it was important for me to talk about a truth that is embarrassing to talk about. We all know that what makes roles so lucrative [are] the moments you give them. If Captain America isn’t given the scenes to boost his representation, and to make him enjoyable for you guys, we won’t think he’s cool. Why shouldn’t Black characters and Black actors also fight for that same kind of representation? I think it’s a done deal with that.”
John Boyega’s statement about the way his character was portrayed in those films is accurate. He asserted that his treatment is part of a bigger problem in how characters of color are treated in big franchise movies. He ends by confirming once again that he’s definitely done with the Star Wars movies, jokingly saying unless they want him to voice the character for an animated series that he can record from home.
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Trevorrow’s narrative arc for Finn’s character in the unused Duel of the Fates script is definitely way cooler and much more satisfying than what we got in the actual movie. From the start, Finn seemed destined to lead a revolution of other Storm Troopers like him who have been forcibly conscripted into the First Order ranks.
The Rise of Skywalker does contain components of that storyline. Midway through the movie, Finn meets a small band of First Order deserters — led by Naomi Ackie’s Jannah — and joins their grand horseback charge during the final battle but that plotline is very small and not that impactful. Finn’s status as a revolutionary was an even bigger part of Duel of the Fates.
There is no ambiguity in John Boyega’s thoughts on Trevorrow’s vision for Finn in Star Wars 9. Rather than being sidelined, he and Rose (who was barely in The Rise of Skywalker) would have played a key role in the plot, and been given their proper standout moments. This does not necessarily mean that Trevorrow’s film would have been perfect, but there’s a lot of sign pointing that it would have been a more satisfying end to the trilogy. Notwithstanding, it’s yet another reminder of what could have been.
What do you think of John Boyega’s opinion on Colin Trevorrow’s unused script? Are you sad that we won’t be able to see John Boyega in the role of Finn again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or on our social media and be sure to come back to The Illuminerdi for more Star Wars news like this in the future!
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