Credit: Inside The MagicIt’s no secret that the Star Wars sequels left some fans disappointed, and it sounds like John Boyega feels the same way. The actor – who launched to fame after portraying Finn in the trilogy – has shared his vision for an alternative version of the films.
Many critics of the sequel trilogy point to a lack of cohesion across the Disney-led movies. Each installment was steered by a different creative vision, leading to tonal shifts and unresolved storylines. The result was a narrative that often felt disjointed, leaving audiences uncertain about the films’ larger direction.
Finn’s character, in particular, became a symbol of unrealized potential. Introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) as a stormtrooper who defects from the First Order, his backstory promised a complex exploration of identity and moral choice.
However, Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) and JJ Abrams’ Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) relegated him to the sidelines, with his arc largely reduced to comic relief or supporting subplots.
This sidelining frustrated many fans who saw Finn as a groundbreaking character with the potential to drive a major part of the trilogy’s story. His early connection to the Force was teased but never developed, and his role in the Resistance often felt secondary despite his compelling origins. For some viewers, this undercut the excitement generated by his debut and contributed to the sense that the sequels squandered opportunities.
Some were also disappointed that the trilogy never took advantage of the natural chemistry between Finn and Poe (Oscar Isaac), despite both actors seeming relatively on board with the concept. “They’ve always had a quite loving and open relationship in which it wouldn’t be too weird if it went beyond it,” Boyega said in 2019 (via Variety).
At the same time, the treatment of Rey drew mixed reactions. While many embraced her as a bold new protagonist, others felt she was overpowered and advanced too quickly compared to previous Jedi. Her rapid mastery of the Force and combat skills in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi left some audiences questioning the balance of the narrative and whether her development overshadowed Finn’s.
Other frequent critiques centered on the decision to kill off Han Solo (despite the fact that it’s been Harrison Ford’s dream since, like, forever), the lack of scenes between Han, Luke, and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamill) portrayal in The Last Jedi.
Fans who grew up with the character as a beacon of hope were unsettled by the script’s depiction of him as disillusioned and withdrawn. For many, this version of Luke seemed to contradict his arc in the original trilogy, creating one of the most divisive points of the sequels.
John Boyega Reveals His Take on the ‘Star Wars’ Sequels
John Boyega has arguably been the most vocal critic of the trilogy’s direction over the years, noting that he felt sidelined in the second and third films. He’s also previously accused the Star Wars fandom of having limits when it comes to Black characters.
“They’re okay with us playing the best friend, but once we touch their heroes, once we lead, once we trailblaze, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, it’s just a bit too much! They’re pandering,'” he said in the documentary Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood.
He also added: “Lemme tell ya, Star Wars always had the vibe of being in the most whitest, elite space. It’s a franchise that’s so white that a Black person existing in [it] was something.”
Now, Boyega has shared his take on how the films should have played out in his eyes.
“If I was a producer on Star Wars from the beginning,” John Boyega said when asked by an audience member at Florida Supercon 2025 how he would remake the sequels. “You would have had a whole completely different thing.”
He went on to explain that his number one priority would be boosting the stories of legacy characters. “It would be mad,” he said. “First of all, we’re not getting rid of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, all these people. We’re not doing that. The first thing we’re going to do is fulfill their story, fulfill their legacy. We’re going to make a good moment of handing on the baton.”
While he didn’t explicitly criticize Rey’s storyline, he did hint at frustrations with her inexplicably well-trained Force sensitivity in the movies.
“Our new characters,” said Boyega, “will not be OP’d [overpowered] in these movies. They won’t just grab stuff and know what to do with it. No. You’ve got to struggle like every other character in this franchise. I’d do that.”
As for inspiration for the plot, Boyega gave an answer that’s sure to please Star Wars fanboys.
“I’d look to the Old Republic stories,” he said, “And see what we can add to the continuation of that. I would definitely want to see Force Unleashed stories in there. I would try to expand the Star Wars universe as much as possible while respecting the lore. If we’re expanding the lore, we have to do it within the respective boundaries that stay true.”
Most importantly, Boyega would give Luke Skywalker a very different ending.
“Luke Skywalker wouldn’t be disappearing on a rock,” he said. “Hell no. Standing there, and he’s, like, a projector? I would want to give those characters way more way more.”
Boyega has long been reluctant to return to the Star Wars franchise, even as Daisy Ridley is (theoretically, at least) set to return as Rey in a standalone sequel in the coming years. Still, with a vision this bold for the franchise’s future, few Star Wars actors seem better suited to lead a fan-pleasing project — particularly given the lukewarm response to the first trailer for The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026).
What do you think of John Boyega’s take on the sequel trilogy?