John Boyega, who played Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, recently shared his opinion on how the franchise should have approached the new era, and his views on whats next for the iconic franchise. Speaking publicly, Boyega highlighted a hope to preserve the legacy of the original trilogy’s central protagonists, such as Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. He argued that their stories were shortened in the sequels even though they played a large part, there was a lack of depth. Boyega expressed that a more deliberate plot transition to the new generation of characters would have strengthened the overall arc.

Boyega pointed out specific creative choices in The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker that he disagreed with, He indicated concern that Luke Skywalker’s role was diminished in ways that undercut character, his iconic legacy. He was particularly disappointed with the limited active presence of Luke and objected to his portrayal as a “projection” rather than a fully engaged character. Boyega suggested that rather than having everyone in one place, the sequels could have benefitted from retaining the original heroes as anchors while still introducing the new era of characters to grow organically. 

Another important detail of Boyega’s ideal approach centered around character development. He advocated for a more realistic progression for new characters, suggesting that their journeys should include earning their skills and face meaningful obstacles, rather than achieving rapid and powerful skills within an unrealistic amount of time. This approach, he argued, would mirror the originals, with the struggles and growth that defined the original trilogy’s heroes and villains. It would maintain the clarity in the franchise’s narrative.

Boyega’s reflections also touch on ongoing discussions about representation and narrative focus within the sequels. Fans have complained about the lack of a clear plot and weak writing, and Boyega shares some of the same concerns, particularly regarding his own character, Finn, and the opportunities given to other new-generation leads. The film focused on one new character while introducing a plethora of others, without giving them much depth or development. Overall, Boyega’s perspective emphasizes respect for the franchise’s history, while critiquing character arcs, and a desire for storytelling that honors both past and present heroes.