John Boyega says he's 'open' to appearing in a future Star Wars movie

Finn looks confused as he wields a blue lightsaber in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Is Finn returning to that legendary galaxy far, far away? (Image credit: Lucasfilm)

Editor's note: this interview took place prior to the actors strike, which began on July 14.

John Boyega has revealed that he's "open" to making a return to the Star Wars universe – but only if the project is the right fit for him.

In an exclusive TechRadar interview to promote his new Netflix movie They Cloned Tyrone, Boyega confirmed that he hasn't fully closed the door on appearing in a future Star Wars film. However, he suggested it would have to be the right time for Finn, the character he played in the franchise's sequel film trilogy, to show up.

Boyega's Star Wars future has been a hot topic of discussion since he criticized the decision to sideline ethnic minority characters as the sequel trilogy progressed. In Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Boyega's Finn played a big role in how its story played out. However, in Star Wars: Episode VIII and Star Wars: Episode IX, Finn and Kelly Marie Tran's Rose Tico – to name just two characters – were moved to the periphery in favor of the franchise's white characters, such as Daisy Ridley's Rey and Adam Driver's Kylo Ren.

In a lengthy GQ interview in September 2020, Boyega also hit out at certain sections of Star Wars' fanbase for racially abusing him and Tran. At the time, Boyega said: "I’m the only cast member who had their own unique experience of that franchise based on their race. Let’s just leave it like that. It makes you angry with a process like that. It makes you much more militant; it changes you. Because you realise, ‘I got given this opportunity but I’m in an industry that wasn’t even ready for me’. 

"Nobody else in the cast had people saying they were going to boycott the movie because [they were in it]. Nobody else had the uproar and death threats sent to their Instagram DMs and social media, saying, ‘Black this and black that and you shouldn’t be a Stormtrooper.’ Nobody else had that experience. But yet people are surprised that I’m this way. That’s my frustration.”

Fontaine steps out of his car with Yo-Yo in the background in They Cloned Tyrone

John Boyega's next performance can be seen in They Cloned Tyrone, one of Netflix's new movies, on July 21 (Image credit: Netflix/Parrish Lewis)

In the near-three-year period since that interview, Boyega has made peace with his experience as a Black actor in Star Wars. It's unclear what the future holds for Finn in Lucasfilm's iconic universe, but there is growing speculation that we could see him again in a future Star Wars film.

Asked if he was interested in returning to that galaxy far, far away, Boyega told me: "That [those comments] was a few years ago, so they were the subject of that particular project. But I'm open to all characters and scripts that are enjoyable, have a great cast attached, and a terrific director. So yeah, I'm open to all opportunities."

Boyega's comments come as speculation swirls that Finn could play a supporting role in one of four upcoming Star Wars films. One such flick, which is centered around Rey, appears to be the most likely candidate. After all, Finn and Rey formed a strong partnership in The Force Awakens, and many fans would love to see the duo reunite for another adventure.

According to an April 2023 edition of The Hot Mic podcast starring John Rocha and Jeff Sneider, Lucasfilm executives have reportedly talked about installing Boyega's Finn as co-lead alongside Ridley's Rey. That comes after supposed talks between Boyega and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, who have "buried the hatchet" over Boyega's previous quotes.

Understandably, fans should take that rumor with a giant pinch of salt, and wait for Lucasfilm to make an official casting announcement. Given that Boyega is "open" to returning to the series that turned him into a household name, though, I'd be surprised if we didn't see Finn appear in a future Star Wars project. Here's hoping I'm right.

For more Star Wars-based coverage, read up on how to watch the Star Wars movies in order and see which of the franchise's TV series made it onto our best Disney Plus shows list. 

As for They Cloned Tyrone, find out why it could be the unusual sci-fi comedy movie Netflix needs right now before it debuts on one of the best streaming services on Friday, July 21. Be sure to check back with TechRadar before launch day, too, for an exclusive, in-depth chat with Boyega about the pulpy and subversive multi-genre film.

TOPICS
Senior Entertainment Reporter

As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across. Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

Read more
Fern standing next to a lightsaber-wielding Wim in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew episode 8
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew ending explained: is Jod a Jedi, is there a post-credits scene, will there be a season 2, and your biggest questions answered
Cassian Andor piloting a TIE Avenger in Andor season 2
Andor season 2: release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot synopsis, and more news on the highly-rated Star Wars show's return
Fern, Wim, Neel, and KB with a bright light shining on them in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
Skeleton Crew's season 2 chances don't look great, but the Star Wars show's creators are 'happy to make more' if it is renewed
Joy and Sadness animated characters from Inside Out surrounded by glowing lights
‘My goal was to direct Empire Strikes Back’: Inside Out 2 director on making the most successful animated movie ever
Imperial droid holds Cassian Andor up against a wall.
Andor is the best Star Wars TV show on Disney+ and leaves Rebels, Clone Wars and Skeleton Crew eating space dust
Black and white picture of Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc in Wake Up Dead Man
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery: everything we know so far about Netflix's Knives Out 3 movie
Latest in Entertainment
Irish boxer TJ Doheny receives an undercard bout, ahead of the WBO super welterweight world title fight in March, 2023
Ball vs Doheny live stream: how to watch the boxing action from anywhere
The Russo brothers posing for a photograph and Herman carrying a Volkswagen camper van in The Electric State
'We're optimists': AI enthusiasts Joe and Anthony Russo defend its use in movies and TV shows, but admit there are 'very real dangers' around its application
Max Verstappen of Red Bull in testing for the 2025 season in Bahrain
Australian Grand Prix 2025: How to watch F1 First Practice race online from anywhere
A collage of Tom Holland's unmasked Spider-Man and Sadie Sink's Max in Stranger Things season 4
Marvel reportedly casts Stranger Things star Sadie Sink in Spider-Man 4, but I don't want her to tackle the roles she's rumored to play
Lilo & Stitch Official Trailer
Stitch crashes into earth and steals our hearts with the first trailer for the live-action Lilo & Stitch
Lewis Hamilton drives a Ferrari single-seater F1 car during the Scuderia Ferrari HP Drivers' Presentation in Milan, in March 2025
How to use a VPN to watch Formula 1
Latest in News
Image showing detail of the Leica D-Lux 8
Still can't get a Fujifilm X100VI? This premium Leica compact costs less, and it's in stock
Man using iMessage on an iPhone
Apple will finally enable encrypted RCS messages between iOS and Android, and it's about time
Jason Sudeikis' Ted Lasso pointing at someone in Ted Lasso season 2
Believe it, baby: Ted Lasso season 4 is officially in development for Apple TV+ and Jason Sudeikis will reprise his role as the titular soccer coach
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #1146)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #377)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #643)