UPDATE! John Boyega Interview with GQ Magazine
Today’s edition of the London newspaper, Evening Standard, contains an article with some interesting comments by actor John Boyega concerning his upcoming role as Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as well as the intense auditioning process he went through.
According to the report, Boyega says he cried when he first read the script and some interesting comments were made concerning his character.
Boyega said:
“When I read the script I cried, and I’m not really a big crier … I’m more like a frog-in-the-throat kind of guy, who’ll try to hold it in and make sure I don’t let it all out.”
Describing the auditions he had to get through, overseen by director J J Abrams, he also told GQ Style magazine it was a thorough process.
He said:
“I was unleashed into seven months of auditions. It was like The X Factor but without the TV show around it. It was intense.”
We have already seen Finn wielding his blue lightsaber in the recent 30 second teaser. But the question remains – Is he a Jedi, or just a pretender? Is he the main lead in the film? Does he play second fiddle to Ridley’s character Rey, or do they share the screen in a dual lead capacity?
The report makes an interesting statement that Finn is a “Jedi in training” (which is more than likely taken from the GQ interview and may be a legitimate statement) but whether or not these words came directly from Boyega himself are unclear.
He certainly is in love with his character, calling Finn his favorite, and even views his own character as a “leading man”. While this report is not overflowing with many new revelations, it is definitely worth a look.
The interview will be in GQ this Thursday. Hopefully, more light will be shed on these comments then.
Special thanks to our reader Jason Arber for the tip!
UPDATE!
Here’s the actual excerpt from the GQ interview:
On auditioning for Star Wars:
“I was unleashed into seven months of auditions. It was like The X Factor but without the TV show around it. It was intense.”
On reading the script for Star Wars:
“When I read the script I cried, and I’m not really a big crier… I’m more like a frog-in-the- throat kind of guy, who’ll try to hold it in and make sure I don’t let it all out.”
On his role in the movie:
“Finn is dope. His story is so epic. It’s a story that’s never been seen before, but it also mirrors the stories of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. And he’s quirky and charismatic and funny. For me, he was the best character in the script.”
On using a lightsaber:
“They’re heavy, those things, and there’s a lot of running involved. I was trained on a high incline treadmill so when it came to it I could sprint around the desert in a leather jacket. They should do a Star Wars weight loss program.”
As you can see, this excerpt never mentions the word Jedi. Still the actor was specifically trained to use this weapon, and I can confirm that Finn has more than one scene in the movie where he wields the lightsaber. (Viral Hide)
For the full interview, grab you GQ issue tomorrow.
Jordan Pate is Co-Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net, of which he is also a member of the book and comic review team. He loves all things Star Wars, but when he's not spending time in the galaxy far far away, he might be found in our own galaxy hanging out in Gotham City or at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center, NY.
I would love to see Finn as a jedi. Perhaps he was sent on an undercover mission to save Poe.
I don’t think he’s a Jedi — yet — but I’be had my hopes pinned on him and Rey both being future Jedi 🙂 That’s what I want to see, anyway. I don’t know why Luke wouldn’t pass on what he has learned but perhaps there’s a story there — maybe ladder day Jedi don’t serve the Republic the way they used to. Luke might be the last “old school” Jedi, the others might be more independent and not anyone you’d call in a crisis. Still hoping this isn’t the Kyle Newman scenario 😛
Is this the same dude that was echo-7 and/or bluestreaking?
Completely different guy. Bluestreaking is still around – I’m the newest staff member. 🙂
LETS ARGUE ABOUT IT 😀
but srsly I dont know, I think he is probably force sensitive, but I dont know if it will be exploited to much in 7…
I think he will probably be more passive about it, maybe become Maz Kanatas apprentice (but casually)
A casual apprentice like Ezra Bridger perhaps ? On the other hand, if he happens to be unusually strong with the force, then he will have to have proper training to fulfill his potential, won’t he ? I still think the “chosen one” will be Rey though, not Finn.
I was thinking more along thte lines of Kotor 2 maybe?
I would guess the “Jedi in training” is just their conjecture based on Boyega’s use of a lightsaber and him saying Finn has an arc similar to Luke in the film.
He’s not a Jedi in training because there is no Jedi to train him. So, he’s maybe Force sensitive, but no more so than anyone else in the Star Wars universe who focuses on the will of the Force. Perhaps Episode 8 allows him to explore his Force sensitivity more… but I could see them having him accept that he’s just not Jedi material.
I think Finn is the Leia of this trilogy. Maybe he has powers but his path will lead him in a different direction.
This whole time I’ve been thinking Finn is a padawan of Luke’s, a double agent sent deep into the first order. His cover is blown and has to get out of dodge.
“I DON’T. KNOW. WHAT. TO. DO!”
Said when he’s trying to get the turret of the Falcon to work.
probably should have picked a different actor. he looks like a gorilla with a lightsaber.
Good God what is John Boyega doing in Star Wars. SMH
Why? He is an extremely competent actor. I’m personally super excited to see him as Finn and think it was a brilliant casting choice.
I am glad that Boyega is Finn, here’s why: It is clear to me that the magic of his character lies in someone who doesn’t appear special but who rises to greatness nonetheless… Bogey is dashing but also has an everyman look to him. I believe this will be a main theme in the movie: He is NOT a Skywalker, he doesn’t have the bloodline, but nevertheless his heart is what makes him strong in ability and strong with the force… “You have that power too…”.
Someone using a lightsaber does’t make them a Jedi anymore than a person using a sword makes them a samurai. If you saw the shot of Han Solo with a lightsaber on Hoth, you’d think he was a Jedi, too. If you believe the synopsis out there, the saber is first offered to Rey, who rejects it, then it’s given to Finn who attempts unsuccessfully to battle Kylo Ren with it. Rey later accepts it and goes to return it to Luke on the island, when, presumably she will begin training with him as the likely Jedi student.
I don’t know what role Finn will play, but I’m pretty sure it has to be a major one given all the hype that Disney has built around the character.
Besides, although I am deeply reluctant to say that, the fact that Boyega was cast as Finn does matter in practice. I understand that the character was not originally written as being associated with any particular ethnicity and that was not a factor in the casting process, but Boyega haven been cast, because of his ethnic background, adds great symbolic significance to the part. Disney would not want to screw up with that symbolic value and suffer a predictable backlash.
I think it would be awesome if he were or would become a Jedi! I also hope that Rey’s staff is somehow the one used by Plagueis too, and she would get some sort of training as well!
Have you taken a good look at Rey’s staff? One end looks like an inverted light saber.
I personally think in this shot Finn is simply defending himself, I imagine moments after this scene Kylo will put him on his ass. Imagine if you will, Kylo is just about to strike down Finn for good, when suddenly we see a stranger take footsteps in the snow towards the pair, we hear a voice we immediately know. Enter Jedi master Luke Skywalker. Shit is going to go down at this point!
I agree that Finn won’t be a match to Kylo Ren and will ultimately have to be saved by someone (or something) else, but only after being already badly hurt. In fact, contrary to the “Jedi spy” theories that we have seen floating around on this board, I don’t think he will have had any Jedi training at all when he first shows up in Episode VII. Most likely, he’s really just an ordinary stormtrooper who, for some reason, had a change of heart and realized the First Order is evil and wrong. It remains to be seen though why his journey thereafter is described as “epic” and mirroring that of “Luke and Han”.
Kylo may have a light saber, but we don’t know how proficient he is at using it yet. He’s managed to get the parts to create a usable light saber, but if you look at it, you can tell that his skills are not complete. I don’t think Luke will show up in the forest. I think either Ray will show up or something urgent that demands Kylo’s attention will occur that will force Kylo to leave this saber duel unfinished.
I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t end up a Jedi — I think the Force is with Finn!
Same, like especially the way the have advertised finn with the lightsaber I’ll be super sad. Like why would they hype him up as one if he isn’t
He has such a likable onscreen presence you just want him to be a hero from the word Go! And in SW – for me – the ultimate heroes, even the flawed ones, are the Jedi. Is it Dec. 18th yet…?
Because of a convention poster and and an Instagram? Show me the Finn toy with a lightsaber.
I’m more intrigued as to why he cried!? Sounds good! Let’s get some emotion in that story!
AOTC and RotS both made me cry 🙁
Let’s hope it has you on the floor rolling around pulling your hair out then!
I was hoping for a benign brain aneurysm.
I think I misinterpreted you’re crying anyway… I took it seriously and figured… hey just be polite. Now I think I get the joke.
In all honesty no Star Wars has ever made me cry except in the EU. Spoilers! Anakin Solo and Mara Jade… not that I thought Jade’s was written all that well… the end of such a legacy really got me. Solo’s was just epically heroic and sad.
Well I didn’t “cry cry” but I got legitimately choked up when Shmi died in Anakin’s arms and when Obi handed off Luke — as deeply moved as I can be by a stinkin’ movie! Those scenes still get me. But I’m totally open to being swept away by TFA, However, I’m going in as a die-hard GL/PT fan not as someone looking for a movie to “redeem SW” or any such. Even if it’s freaking King Lear for the 21st Century it won’t make me suddenly dislike the PT, ya know?
GO TO HELL WHY DID YOU SPOILED IT DO YOU THINK THAT SUCH A “(spoilers)” WARNING IS ENOUGH WHAT DO I DO NOW
I think Finn and Rey will both be jedi and have a dual lead in the film.
Finn will start as a soldier (then hear a voice from Luke or Yoda in his head to search for him!!!!) And throws him off which will make him have a change a heart and abandons the first order. (Rember the first trailer? Snoke’s voice “There has been an awakening, have you felt it?” Then we see Finn come on to the screen. Yes he will be a jedi.
Rey will start as a scavenger but does not not know who her real parents are. The force will bring her and Finn together as they will be the the new hope that can help Luke destroy Darth Plagueis and the First order.
I’m so excited for this film!!!
I’m with you except for Darth Plagueis I just don’t see him being a character. Darth
Although your version sounds cool, sadly it isn’t the story. For one, Snoke leads the Knights of Ren, who are not Sith. Two, the idea Fin goes from Storm Trooper too Jedi in one film is silly, if where not missing one thing. Which would be that he was a Jedi before joining the First order.
I like that idea, because it makes me think Luke wasn’t just waiting his prime years doing nothing.
But, then how can Kilo Ren and Snoke be strong if they could not sense a Jedi in their crew. Makes me think that the evidence just doesn’t support this.
I’m aware that knights if Ren wont be sith but they will be a part of the dark side of the force. I threw out Plagueis just as wishful thinking. I still think Rey and Finn will start out as beginners to the force ( Hence the name “The force awakens” I still think Finn’s story arch will be from soldier to newbie Padawan at the end of the film. Rey can fight with a staff because she was trained to protect herself by Max Von Sydows character. But she is not a jedi in this film. That sounds more reasonable in the span of 2 hours 🙂
Yea,no don’t think we’ll see any Darths show up until the end of Ep. 9, setting up a new trilogy.
I still can’t see Fin being a force sensitive storm trooper, but then again, Vader hadn’t sensed His daughter was force sensitive so I guess it’s possible.
I don’t think Rey is just a scavenger. She speaks with a British accent, meaning she is not originally from an Outer Rim planet and probably comes from an aristocratic background (at least that is the alleged SW rule as far as accents are concerned, although neither Padme, nor Leia and Bail Organa followed that rule).
In any case, all indications are that Rey may even have had Jedi training before. We don’t know why she is a scavenger on Jakku when Episode VII begins, but I believe that will be explained in the movie. Besides, although it would be too obvious if she were related to Luke and Leia, the fact that her last name was not released means somethiing.
I didn’t mean she was born scavenger. She just starts off as one in the story. Her accent does indicate she was raised by some royalty or some important figure. Some say it’s Max Von Sydows character who may be a former imperial general.
Being British and with her accent surely has nothing to do with her character? I don’t mean to shut you down or anything but to me the accent doesn’t mean anything or give anything away.
Boyega is also British in real life, but Finn speaks with an American accent. It’s not just a coincidence that the two lead characters have different accents.
I agree with you on the last name thing, leaves a slight mystery 🙂
However I have to disagree with the whole accent subject. If she is a Solo or Skywalker then she’ll have an American accent. It’s an interesting thought and theory but I personally don’t think it’ll mean anything. We’ll soon find out my friend.
The idea Fin goes from Storm Trooper too Jedi in one film is silly, if where not missing one thing. Which would be that he was a Jedi before joining the First order.
This would make one of my major worries gone, because it makes me think Luke wasn’t just waiting his prime years doing nothing.
However, then how can Kilo Ren and Snoke be dark side strong if they could not sense a Jedi in their crew. Makes me think that the evidence just doesn’t support this.
More likely, Fin may be trained as a Jedi in time, but he won’t be right off the bat.
Yeah its only the first movie. Im sure he will be a fully realized Jedi by the third movie. He will probably lose to Kylo, and then get better and better afterwards.
I really like this actor, and I am glad for him to be a star in the greatest franchise ever. Jedi or not, I cant wait to see him become an iconic character that kids can idolize, like we idolized Han & Luke.
I don’t think Finn will become a Jedi. I think in this scene he’s protecting someone. He’s scared and has grabbed the closest thing to him-Luke’s saber. Rey I think will become a Jedi and we’ll see her slowly progress. Finn to be will be her sidekick, an extra gun by her side. Maybe, I don’t know. Just a thought. If he does become a Jedi then cool 🙂 I have no issue with that. Anyone who judges his looks, character or acting ability before the movie even comes out is pretty dumb. Roll on December guys!!!
Yea this seems like more JJ Abrams misdirection. If Finn is the Jedi-in-training, why do we only hear of Daisy Ridley shooting training-style scenes with MH?
It is hard to say. Maybe Finn is badly hurt after his fight with Kylo, or has been captured, or is missing. Or he is being trained by someone else. There is no way to tell from the scattered information we’ve had so far.
I noticed though that Boyega complains about how heavy “the lightsabers” (in the plural) are, which seems to imply Finn will use a lightsaber more often than once in a lifetime
ot it imlies that it´s another misdirection 🙂 I´m convinced Finn is NOT Force sensitive.
What has convinced you that he won’t be a Jedi ? Other than the questionable playing cards, I don’t think there is any hard evidence one way or the other.
Jedi always run alone, or with the astromech. Finn will have adventures of his owns.
I’m going to say that the Trilogy is going to star both Finn and Rey, and that together they will make the future of the Jedi Order. I think Finn will start out with no training in the force, and a servant of the First Order, but over the trilogy will be taught by Luke.
Rey I think is the younger child of Han and Leia, and was given some training by Luke in her past, but for some reason she abandoned her training (or maybe Luke abandoned training her?), and that the trilogy is going to be about her embracing her linage as a Skywalker/Solo.
I think Kylo Ren is Han and Leia’s older child, and that he was trained by Luke before becoming seduced by the Darkside, and in particular the legacy of his grandfather, Darth Vader. I think it is his fall which leads Luke to abandon training other Jedi due to the shame of having his nephew fall down the same path as his father.
I like this theory!
I don´t like this theory.
Me neither. Luke must be the leader of the NJO, not rey finn
If you read the article in the picture above, it says he says his character is quirky charismatic and funny, and they the story in some ways mirrors Han and Luke…soo. It kinda sounds to me like Finn is the Han Solo like character and Rey is the Luke character.
Oh, and my guess is that there really has to be a major death to add to the depth of this story….and what else what make him cry?
I thought Poe Dameron was supposed to be the Han Solo like character, i.e. “the best pilot in the galaxy” and, according to Oscar Isaac, also pretty funny himself.
Seriously, I don’t think the sequel trilogy needs two new Han Solo’s. If, on the other hand, both Finn and Rey become Jedi, they won’t be both like Luke in the OT, because Rey is a girl and Finn has a very different backstory (being a former stormtrooper and all that).
So, two funny guy, one serious girl?
You know it’s just possible that we have more interesting characters and we have to raise the bar.
Well, he is Daisy Ridley’s leading man.
Interestingly Boyega never states in the interview that he’s a Jedi, yet the last teaser has him grasping a lightsaber. With all of J.J.’s secrecy surrounding this movie, would J.J. willingly reveal his identity before the release of the movie? Still not convinced he’s a Jedi. Central hero yes, Jedi no.
I keep wondering about the title “The Force Awakens”. Could it be that certain people are more force sensitive without becoming “Jedi”? All we’ve heard so far are “The dark side..and the light”.
You’re on the right lines. I know there are some deleted lines from Episode II that point to this. When Padmé and Yoda briefly speak at the beginning of the film, there was a point during that discussion where he commented that she was strong with the Force. I don’t think he meant necessarily to Jedi level, but he did note it. Perhaps another reason why the Skywalker twins are so important. You can be strong in the Force without being a Jedi.
I for one would like the story to take that route. “Jedi” is a more dogma than karma.
All 3 heroes in the OT had something special about themselves. Leia was an Alderaan princess, a natural leader and someone who ranked pretty high in the Rebel Alliance’s hierarchy. Luke of course was destined to be the last Jedi (or the first of a new generation of Jedi, from another possible point of view), and both Luke and Leia were the Skywalker twins. Han, on the other hand, was the best pilot in the galaxy and had a lot of experience outrunning the Empire from his days as a smuggler.
I suppose Finn, Rey and Poe will also have to show some special qualities to become the next top 3. Poe in a way is like Han, I think. Rey is clearly special, as we now know ffor sure that Luke will take her up as his apprentice. As for Finn, I doubt the only thing he adds to the Rebellion is being skilled with a blaster ! On the contrary, judging from his toy lines, he sounds pretty clueless as a stormtrooper. Again, there has to be something else about Finn to make his journey “epic” and for him to be a “leading man”.
Maybe he’s the fastest short distance runner in the galaxy /:O)
Maybe he is the only stormtrooper that can actually hit something with his blaster?
You could say Han was the best smuggler, but not the best pilot.
Poe=Leia
Finn=Han
Rey=Luke
Imagine if before The Empire Strikes Back was released, they showed the footage of Han Solo using a lightsaber, out of context. People would have jumped to conclusions then too. At this stage, we don’t know if Finn’s really going to go down the Jedi route or not. He could be using the weapon in that scene as a last resort. Perhaps he has no blaster, no other way of defending himself. At this moment, anything is possible.
Agree. Believe he has no other choice but to use the lightsaber. He doesn’t look too comfortable wielding it, and is going to get seriously hurt. This would explain why Rey and Finn split up. Rey goes in search of Luke, whilst Finn recovers from his injuries.
I want to see a “last chance” lightsabre that launches its core like a torpedo when you press the button
This is more likely.
I agree with you that he may not really be a Jedi, and people are taking the Instagram post out of context. However, what about the poster from D23? I doubt they would give him a lightsaber if he only used it in one scene…
Because JJ is a liar.
They never put Han on a poster for the movie with a lightsaber…
Well he did just open up a Taun Taun, hardly worth a depiction in poster form. However, it seems Finn will truly be using the lightsaber for defense and therefore will fight, that’s not what’s being discussed here. What is being discussed is whether he will become a Jedi or not. Obi-Wan also uses a blaster against General Grievous, didn’t mean he had to head home and hang up his Jedi cloak and saber for being ‘un-Jedi-like’. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Finn is in a desperate situation whether he’s a Jedi or not.
In the article above, there is a quote from Boyega who said, “Finn is dope. He is a heightened Hollywood leading man version like myself; his story is so epic.” Makes me think that Finn’s life might mimic much of what Boyega’s life was like, and maybe that’s what made him cry.
I have always wanted the Jedi in this movie to be Rey but Finn just looks so boss holding that lightsaber it is really a tough call. Hopefully that tough decision will not have to made and they will both be Jedi in future movies.
Can’t wait to see this film and find out all the little nuances in these characters and their story. There’s so many rumours being floated that we probably know a lot of the film, we just don’t know who is right and who is wrong. I hope for some truly impossible to predict twists though. I expect we will be satisfied. I know we all expect a Luke Han Leia trio of characters and maybe we’ll get that, but there’s a hell of a lot of scope for characters outside of that limited bubble and it would be good to see something new and creative. As long as it’s done with love and a cool story that really grips you emotionally then I’ll be very happy indeed.
Absolutely. I really, really would love some creativity and character depth, that may even mean a slower moving movie so that we can start to care about them more. I see so much re-hash in movies these days, and I’m tired of thinking to myself “yeah, that’s just like ___”
Bring us new characters, expand the horizon. Make it interesting.
Less than three months.. Less than three months… Standby.. Standby..
23rd now in UK, officially autumn I believe. I hope the trailer just drops out of the blue and when I’m not at work haha. Hope there’s no clue and no leaks beforehand. Bring it to me!
Almost there… Almost there…
I’m wondering… will Finn live through the end of Episode VII? So far, the rumors for Episode VIII feature Rey front-and-center. Finn is nowhere to be seen; there was even the rumor way back when that Daisy has signed on for Episodes VIII and IX. As far as we know, John hasn’t (at least, the rumor isn’t there like it is for Daisy).
This leads me to wonder… maybe he BEGINS training to be a Jedi in this film, but dies before it really goes anywhere? I don’t know, it’s a fun thought – more fun than Luke appearing for 3 seconds before the end credits.
Finn will live to see Episode VIII. That is a given.
Finn dies. That is why Boyega cried: so much effort to get int only to get out quickly.
What is it with that lightsaber anyway. Why is it so important to get THAT lightsaber passed from person to person as some of the rumors go. I mean, yes it has some family significance, but other than that??
A forced as fuck reference to the original trilogy
Or an homage to the original ESB script written by Leigh Brackett, which had Obi-Wan hiding coordinates of Minch Yoda’s location in Luke’s light saber.
still a forced as fuck reference to the original trilogy
Quite possibly. But maybe JJ will surprise us all, and after we see the movie, and see the context, we’ll say “WOW! That was a brilliant idea!” I hope so, anyway
Doubt it. It will be just another way to milk over OT’s content.
Why do you even come to this site if you have such a pessimistic view of the new movie? If you want to cry about everything I suggest avoiding Star Wars VII websites. The movie is already made, JJ doesn’t give a crap what you think.
Or a homage to the source material of Star Wars.
An easy statement to make coming from someone really not so informed in the ways of the Star Wars Universe. If you know what a kyber crystal is, you would know that it is what makes a lightsaber work. BUT what you may not know, is that Kyber crystals are able to hold almost limitless data, and that data can be retrieved only through force sensitive beings using a halocron. in the clone wars series. WHICH IS canon, there was an episode where Cad Bane stole a kyber crystal, and Anakin was forced to open the data with a halocron.Inside that Halocron was a complete list of Every known force sensitive being in the galaxy.The crystal was retrieved and placed into the Jedi Archives….if you are not getting the picture yet..here you go. In the wrong hands, that data could be used to hunt down the relatives of the families in this kyber crystal. When the temple was destroyed and you see Yoda and Obi-wan go into the archive, Obi-wan probably took this crystal.After his battle with Anakin and he went into exile, he probably placed the crystal in Anakin’s lightsaber.After he gave it to Luke, he probably had intentions of training luke to eventually beable to retrieve the data. He did not clue Luke in on this secret during his training because it was too soon and Luke was vulnerable to the dark side at that point still, and luke could have used it for evil.When Luke became a Jedi knight, the secret would have been revealed. This is why the lightsaber is so important to Snoke and the Knights of Ren, and this is why they are desperately trying to get it back to Luke. With the knowledge in this data base Luke will be able to trace all of the ancesters of the Force sensitives , train them and form a new Jedi Order………..so as you can see. it is not a “Forced as fuck reference to the old trilogy” buddy…… You’re welcome.
If they really do make a Kenobi movie, it will probably touch base on this crystal and lightsaber.Among other things like (Speculating here obviously) Kenobi falling in love while exiled on tatooine and no longer having to obey the Jedi Law and having a daughter, Who Luke happens to find after Return of the Jedi , fall in love and have a child with. Rey Skywalker ,Daughter of Luke Skywalker, granddaughter of Obi Wan Kenobi. Placed in hiding to the care of Obi-Wan’s brother (Max Von Sydow) on jakku after the Knights of Ren Slaughter Lukes students and destroy the temple also killing his wife. Mirroring Luke’s upbringing by being raised by her great uncle on a remote desert planet.staying true to George Lucas’s vision and philosophy on how everything needs to rhyme in the series.etc…etc..etc. I highly doubt she is a Solo…it is too obvious a choice to make. BUT i guess we shall see December 18th!!! 3 more months!!!
I suspect there is something else about the lightsaber. There has been some wild fan fiction that ties something in the saber to the operation of the First Order’s super weapon. It remains to be seen the actual role the saber will play in the movie.
I’m hoping that Leia uses the force in this movie. It would be a nice progression for her.
Can’t agree enough. It would be such a great surprise moment if shes arguing politics and suddenly pulls out a lightsaber or uses the force to make her point
Ha Exactly. Or, if she has turned to the dark side, along with her son, etc. Just some interesting changes.
You’ve seen Carrie Fisher recently, right? She’s crazy. A fun kind of crazy, sure, but she’s still crazy. Decades of drugs will do that to you. There’s no way they’ll trust her with a significant role in these new films. So I seriously doubt she’ll be using the Force.
True- they are definitely going to minimize her role in the new trilogy, but it would be nice to at least give a little nod to her being a skywalker. I feel like return of the Jedi just dropped this bomb on us that she was “strong” in the force like Luke and Vader and then it’s ignored. The EU handled it well, where she learned the basics, but decided to pursue politics and so never fully reached the heights of skywalker powers. Even if she is just levitating a pen as she writes or something stupid like that- I want the writers touch on her force sensitivity.
EU approach on Leia’s use of the Force is the best one. How many women would rather fighting instead of sitting comfortably discussing political matters?
Most people assume Leia doesn’t use the force because of the EU. But they forget that is not the EU anymore. We know Leia is some kind of general in Episode VIi, but there is no way to tell so far if she will be a force user or not. It would be cool if she became Finn’s master, although that is still unlikely at thus point.
Luke does say to Leia in RotJ, “Luke: You’re wrong, Leia. You have that power too. In time you’ll learn to use it as I have. The Force runs strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. And… my sister has it. Yes. It’s you, Leia.
Princess Leia: I know. Somehow, I’ve always known.”
Is Rey confirmed for ep VIII? If no, the look on Finn’s face in this scene looks more like Luke’s when he looks back at his burning farm….anger. So if Rey is not confirmed for ep VIII, perhaps this is finn’s reaction right after Rey’s death.
Long shot I know
She was literally just seen last week filming Episode VIII at Skelling Michel.
She’s signed for all 3 films…
What source are you quoting that she signed for all 3 films?
http://screenrant.com/daisy-ridley-star-wars-episode-8-9
It’s official. The Star Wars: The Force Awakens official theatrical trailer will debut with The Martian next week October 2nd!!!
Confirmed by whom?
Viral Hide, speaking of sources, who made it known to you “that Finn has more than one scene in the movie where he wields the lightsaber”?
I’ve seen a definite proof.
Care to share with us ?
He fights off some storm troopers deflecting shots with the sabre and also uses it to take down the reflector shields after a pep talk from Han.
Any reason you’re being so ambiguous? If you are going to make a statement of “fact” like that I think you should have some respect for your readers and back it up a little more than saying “I’ve seen proof”, otherwise just don’t include it next time.
OK, I won’t next time.
Or you could edit the article, remove the baseless statement and retain your integrity.
No, thank you. It’s fine this way. It’s a cool tidbit that many would appreciate.
Many would also appreciate some journalistic integrity and for you to clarify how you actually know this “fact”
Good for them. Unfortunately we’re not journalists here. We’re just fans like you, trying to share the most we uncover.
Sharing what you uncover and being deliberately obtuse when asked to explain how you uncovered the information. Then asking a poster on these forum to back up their claim about the screening date of the trailer, hypocritical.
Not at all. I immediately shared how I know about this. I think I was pretty clear and my explanation is enough. Obviously you have some issues with me, so just move along, and go play somewhere else if you don’t approve how I handle things. I just asked a simple question, which could have had a simple answer from our reader, but I am yet to hear his reply. I asked him because I was thinking I missed some kind of announcement or something like that. I was not being a smartass.
“Ive seen definite proof” isn’t terribly clear and concrete. Myself and I’m sure a lot of other readers would like a little more to go on. Have you seen footage, pictures, a source close to the production told you. Why would you hold back telling us more. I don’t have a problem with you, that’s 100% your assumption. I’m just asking questions of the writer in the comments section about the article they wrote.
Yeah I agree, more information about that claim should be given Viral Hide.
I wish I could tell you more. Unfortunately that’s all I can say. Our readers who know me, know I am not fabricating stuff.
And the ones who don’t know you. They don’t matter?
It seems we don’t matter Roger
I can confirm this also. I have an acquaintance at the MPAA.
It will show with The Martian and run 2 min 46 seconds.
Yep! Disney is using their one year early exception to go beyond the 2 minute and 30 second time limit. 9 more days. I can’t wait!
Thanks for the heads up guys, this is a real scoop! Can’t wait 🙂
Just for the record guys. I removed 2 replies to this thread, since they were made by the same person. He created 2 accounts. His first reply was confirming the date for the trailer and his second post was “Thanks guys, great scoop”. I banned the IP of this member. He was intentionally misleading the readers and obviously making things up.
Just checked with a source about the release date. I don’t know when it will be released, but they confirmed it’s not on October 2nd.
Given the context, I’m treating the “Jedi in Training” tagline as hyperbole. It wouldn’t surprise me if he IS a jedi in training, but it’s only fact when someone directly involved says it.
Perhaps Finn is already a Jedi and was on a mission to infiltrate the First Order under cover. Later, we discover he is a Jedi when he breaks out the light saber and fights Kylo Ren. Finn is seriously wounded by Kylo and is sent to recover (perhaps getting some cyborg extremities installed.) Rey visits Finn in the sick bay and asks where he learned to be a Jedi. Finn answers that her uncle taught him and she needs to be trained by Luke as well. Movie ends with Rey taking Luke’s light saber to him and the training begins. Episode 8 picks up where Episode 7 left off…..
Finn’s a force user. If all this evidence was tied to another actor, like Gleeson or Ridley, there’d be no question.
i agree at Finn is a force user, But I think there is more reason for confusion then just racism. Finn (until recently) was always shown with a gun or in trooper armor, whereas Rey is usually in front as the lead character holding a melee weapon. Plus there is the notion of rey being on set with Luke and no one has seen Finn there, if he is force sensation, would he not get training? Personally I think people are erroneously assuming there is only one new force sensitive character. By the end of episode IX both Finn and Rey will be Jedi.
exactly, people just cant stomach the fact that he could be the jedi of this series that is why they are trying to disprove all the evidence that leads to him being a jedi
That’s very presumptuous, to think everyone’s opinions are based on race. I actually like the character, as well as John Boyega, but don’t think he’ll be a Jedi. And I HOPE I’m wrong, but all the leaked info about the film points to Rey becoming the new Jedi, not Finn. Even him having a lightsaber in that shot ties with the info that he will TRY to fight Kylo, get his ass handed to him, and Rey will pick up the saber and hold her own with Kylo. Even if he doesn’t become a Jedi in the first or second film, though, I do hope he’s at least Force sensitive, and receives some training down the road. As more proof, there was even a set of cards released that showed little icons representing characters’ affiliations, and while Rey’s card showed the Jedi symbol as well as the New Republic/Rebel symbol, Finn’s ONLY showed the NR/Rebel symbol, no Jedi, which, again, ties with everything we’ve heard about him not becoming a Jedi, at least not in this film.
Don’t go around implying everyone is racist just because they disagree with your opinion. I’m basing my theories on actual information we have heard, not anything to do with race. Like I said, I like Finn and love John Boyega’s casting because he was great in Attack the Block. He’ll probably be an awesome character, but I think the shot of him with the lightsaber is meant to be misleading because that’s how JJ Abrams does things. I just don’t think he’s a Jedi… at least, not until another movie or two anyway.
well there is little to no proof that Rey is a jedi so why the hell are people assuming that she will be the jedi and he won’t???
Exactly, there is no evidence at this point she would be one. But Boyega who has a fucking lightsaber, we even him see him using it. On the advertising he is on the fucking front holding it, with the words LIGHTSIDE plastered right over him. And STILL people don’t think he will be one…lmao
Please refer to my above comment listing the mound of evidence for Rey being a Jedi, as well as why I think the one piece of evidence we have for Finn being a Jedi, that shot of him with Luke’s lightsaber, is misleading. And he’s on the lightside because he’s a good guy and the co-lead of the film. He probably will also be Force sensitive, but that doesn’t make him a Jedi.
Lol what is more definitive than this? Show me the Rey evidence, there is nothing from the film officialy to imply she is? https://instagram.com/p/7MYzn2MCv-/?taken-by=john_boyega
If this was Rey you would say oh yup she is a jedi/force user. Also on those same cards it said r2d2 was affiliated with jedi and the clones sooo lmao..uh
Hasbro change the genders of dinosaurs so what……
Exactly, no different than Kylo being a Ren, not a Sith. Yet he has his own lightsaber. I do have suspicion that Kylo made his lightsaber using the crystal from Darth Vader’s lightsaber.
There’s no “proof” of almost anything yet, actually. It’s all just evidence being interpreted until we actually see the film. But honestly, there is way more evidence of Rey being a Jedi than Finn. I’ve listed the reasons I don’t think he will be a Jedi. Why do I think Rey will be? Well, for one thing, she is the only other actor who has filmed scenes with Mark Hamill on Skellig Michael Island for both Episode 7 and Episode 8. It is widely believed that this will be, basically, Luke’s Dagobah, and it’s come out from sources within the shoot that some of her scenes included “training or fighting.” It’s also a fact that Daisy Ridley went through much more extensive real life training than John Boyega to prepare for the role. There are also plenty of leaks/rumors that her character is pretty much a bad ass fighter, as well as being extremely agile, much like someone with Force powers. Then there are also smaller things, like those cards I mentioned, which have Rey with a Jedi and Resistance symbol, while Finn only has a Resistance symbol on his, no Jedi one. There are also several plot points that have been reported on MSW that are more subtle, but hint at her being or becoming a Jedi. For instance, she seems to not want anything to do with Luke’s lightsaber early in the film, like it brings up bad memories. There’s the fight with Kylo Ren I mentioned. I haven’t even mentioned the various bits about her and Kylo seemingly having some kind of connection. There are PLENTY of bits of evidence that she is/was/will be a Jedi. Literally the only evidence for Finn being a Jedi is that he is holding Luke’s lightsaber. Anyone can hold and ignite a lightsaber, and if it’s the only weapon you have on you when a guy like Kylo Ren is coming to kill you, then you’re gonna at least try to use it to defend yourself. That doesn’t tell me he’s a Jedi. He doesn’t even look comfortable holding it. Also, the fact they released that shot the way they did screams that it’s a red herring. Remember, JJ Abrams is the guy who created LOST. He LOVES to screw with the audience and keep them guessing. Again, this doesn’t mean Finn isn’t Force sensitive, or won’t ever become a Jedi in a future film, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t in Episode 7, and we know he wasn’t training with Luke and Rey on Skellig Michael in the scenes they shot for Episode 8 either.
No no no, there is nooo proof that rey is the jedi all we see is her holding a stick lol, whereas finn has had the lightsaber in the promo posters for force friday which were plastered everywhere and he is with the lightsaber in the D23 poster and in the 15 second teaser, plus all we have of rey is that dumbass trading card, THE SAME TRADING CARD THAT CALLS R2 D2 A JEDI!!! AND THE SAME ONE THAT CALLS A STORMTROOPER A SITH!! just face the music and stomach it! you know there is more proof leading to Finn being a Jedi you just dont want to admit it
I also love how the mystery box of JJ is getting to your head, I dont think you get it, promoting Finn as a jedi and having Rey turn out to be the jedi in the film aint really a big twist or a good one for that matter, it will be very stupid so when I see these wishful thinkings from fanboys it makes me laugh as to how silly you are that you dont even understand how the industry works
LOL I don’t understand how the industry works? Dude, I work in the industry. Trust me when I tell you I understand how it works better than you do. And look, man, in this movie, no one becomes a Jedi because they can’t become a Jedi in one film. Luke is not a Jedi by the end of A New Hope, and Anakin is not a Jedi by the end of TPM. So Boyega is not a Jedi in this movie when he ignites that lightsaber, even if he does become one later. That’s just a given. So the fact he’s holding the lightsaber does not make him a Jedi. Rey is not a Jedi in this film either, BUT the only evidence you need that she WILL BE a Jedi is that fact that Rey is the only one training with Luke in the two scenes shot on Skellig Michael for TFA and Episode 8. Finn is not in those scenes, so he is clearly NOT training as a Jedi by the end of this film or whatever point in the next film the Episode 8 Skellig Michael scene takes place. That doesn’t mean he won’t eventually begin training to be a Jedi later in Episode 8 or in Episode 9, as I’ve said, but based solely on what we know so far, he does not train to be a Jedi, so how can you say he’s a Jedi in this film? We know for a FACT that he begins as a Stormtrooper, has a crisis of conscience, and escapes the First Order. Yes, there is one shot and some promo photos of him holding Luke’s lightsaber, but that’s because he looks bad ass holding it, and also because the lightsaber itself is central to the plot. Besides, who doesn’t look cool holding a lightsaber? And since he does wield it in a scene, why not use it to promote the film and his character, whether or not it actually means he’s a Jedi? It’s still a really cool shot either way. But like I said, at the point when he ignites the saber, he can’t possibly be a Jedi yet because it’s only a few days since the start of the film, so then it’s not proof of anything other than the fact he ignites Luke’s lightsaber at some point in the film. It’s also somewhat telling that none of his toys actually come with the lightsaber accessory.
lol you work in the industry?? yeah and I’m superman, I will j https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0c51d5ebe0df2df0176ff043e08cfec2dee6c4266419ee04b2a5f5b9ea1bb75f.jpg us t leave this here to burst your bubble
I’m not sure what your talking about. I’m fine with Fin being a Jedi, although I don’t like my Jedi using guns all that much. However, I don’t think he should go from Storm Trooper to Jedi, it doesn’t makes sense.if your force sensitive, Kilo Ren should have sensed it. I like Fin, bought multiple Fin Toys. If he is a Jedi cool, but he better not be a real trooper then.
As I said, there are several reasons why Finn is not being trained by Luke in Episode VIII. He may be hurt, or may have been captured, or may be missing in action. Or perhaps he will be trained by someone else The main reason why people are assuming he won’t be a Jedi is the fact that the Finn card doesn’t have the Jedi Order symbol, but, based on the cards, Kylo Ren would be Sith, which we know is incorrect.
The interview makes it clear that Boyega had lightsaber coaching and that Finn will use a lightsaber more than once in a lifetime. The reason why Kylo Ren didn’t sense him before may be that the two never actually met before, or the force simply had not “awakened” in him. Keep in mind Darth Vader himself met Leia probably several times before Episide IV and never sensed she was his daughter and “had that power too.”
This is my thought as well. It is not Finn handing the lightsaber to Leia. We know Poe gets captured as well. I just don’t understand if they get Finn, why did Kylo not get the lightsaber.
The interesting part is Anakin’s lightsaber seems to be with Finn, all the way up until it is being handed to Leia. I get the feeling somehow Finn makes it out with Poe who was captured at some point in the movie and heads one way as Poe was sent on a mission from the “certain princess” returns to that princess, while Rey and Luke get split the other. I know it is a stretch but perhaps Finn learns from Leia? Luke does say to Leia in RotJ someday you will learn the ways of the force as I have. There is a lot missing to be honest to make any concrete theory on Finn.
Finn going from the First Order to eventually being a jedi and a warrior for the resistance is a great arc and something that hasn’t been done before in Star Wars. As far as it not making sense, that’s what seeing the movie is for.
I think great things are definitely in store for Finn in this film. His comment alone about his story being “epic” tells me that if he’s not a Jedi, he will certainly be involved in a lot of action and be instrumental to the plot. I think it’s very plausible that by the time this trilogy is through, both Boyega and Ridley will be Jedi.
I think that this film will show both characters to be very naturally adept and have a strong connection to the force, but I feel like most of the “Jedi” action will happen in 8 & 9.
On a related note, I bought the Finn (Starkiller Base) action figure for my son, and on the back of the card it says that Finn is a “trained warrior”, “desperately trying to escape his past”. This probably means he is a trained stormtrooper of the First Order now on the run from his former life, but it could mean something more.
I do tend to think if he was a Jedi, that his action figure would come with the lightsaber (although I’m sure they will release a version with it at some point regardless). Why does he not have his own custom lightsaber? I guess it’s possible he has been undercover and doesn’t have it in order to keep up appearances and avoid detection, but I think it’s more likely that Finn is just a natural combatant with a strong force connection who ends up being trained in the Force later in the trilogy.
Note that if Finn is the new Luke archetype, he will probably merely be introduced to the ways of the Force in this episode and flourish in the other two. Whereas Luke was a farmboy pilot, Finn is a trained warrior already, which I think may explain why he would even attempt to use the lightsaber before receiving official training with the weapon – unlike Luke who was not a skilled warrior in ANH, and thus did not attempt to use the lightsaber in combat in the first of the OT films.
My theory is that Rey has already received some training from uncle Luke (see what I did there?) and something happened to cause her to be disillusioned and abandon the Jedi way, only to reconnect with Luke at the end of the film.
I think she will be highly skilled from the start and Finn will have more of a growth story arc throughout the trilogy. I like the theory someone mentioned on another forum about Kylo Ren being the brother of Rey, but was abducted as a small child by the Knights of Ren. If they are siblings, I like this theory the most.
In the Dark Empire comic series, a cloned Palpatine attempted to kidnap the Solo children in order to transfer his essence into one of their bodies. He nearly succeeded with Anakin, the youngest of the children. I doubt we have anything resembling a cloned emperor or body possession in the film, but I think it’s likely that a similar scenario where perhaps Supreme Leader Snoke (who may or may not be the leader of the Knights of Ren) or someone else with ties to the KOR kidnapped young Kylo Ren, knowing his biological connection to Vader and has raised him as his own.
If Finn were a Jedi he wouldn´t be scared and sweating all the time. Have you ever seen a Jedi doing that? End of this dicussion.
Obi-Wan was pouring sweat and breathing hard in his duel with Maul…just saying. 🙂
But Obi was not pooping on the pants of so much scare.
Obi-Wan was raised a Jedi Knight.
What? Yoda was crapping his pants in fear after Palpatine put them thangs on him, he couldn’t bail fast enough.
If Rey has been an orphan since she was a lot younger, I’m not buying her being “highly skilled” and trained already, but I will buy she could have been a jedi acolyte when she was a lot younger but was forced to to abruptly end her journey on that path. I think we’ll get to see her being “special” in ways throughout the movie, but nothing over the top, maybe hints. I also hope she’s not related to any of the OT characters, I want a characters who will build their own legacy after being passed the baton.
I am getting really confused here. I get the feeling that instead of 1 month, the film timeline spans years. How a lowly stormtrooper manage to wield a lightsaber with proficiency? It just makes no sense unless we see the character evolve in a span of 3-5 years that run in the movie.
I like how Boyega has fallen for his role. Actors thad tend to do that often produce the best results on-screen, I like the dedication. But I guess anyone who would be cast to play in this franchise would pretty much react the same way.
7 month audition period? Wow! I think that by the time they started filming, Boyega had pretty much filmed the entire movie like 10 times but without any actual film rolling.
An epic story that is new to the fans of SW but mirrors the adventures of Solo and Skywalker. It’s really vague but we can deduce the fact that Finn will be flung from one side of the Galaxy to the other more than once in TFA. I suspect that he will be hunted down like Luke and he will have his own connections in various planets like Han.
Unless this is a sales pitch, If a fanboy (if he indeed is) actually cried while reading the script, I guess most of the audience will thoroughly enjoy this new movie. Honestly, how wrong can you go with Ford? It just doen’t happen.
We don’t know if he is going to wield the lightsaber “with proficiency”. But he’s likely to wield it more than once and not just out of desperation like Han did on Hoth.
I know but it’s my deduction that if this is the case then the movie will span years instead of days or months, which is something that we haven’t yet seen in any SW films. All I am saying is that this will be interesting.
I don´t buy this story that “he cried”. Who cries with Star Wars? It is a freaking chessy space opera! Maybe it is because his character dies on the movie and he cried because it was 7 months auditioning only to be kicked out so quickly!
Hmmm – Luke seeing his aunt and uncle’s corpses-Anakin’s death-Anakin leaving his mother-Anakin’s mother dying in his arms-Anakin & Padme silently communing as the sun sets over Coruscant-Obi delivering Luke…all make me cry. Maybe it’s just a really strong scene for him somewhere.
OK: I almost cry when I watch the “IT`S A TRAP!” scene…. All that tension about the ships closing by the Death Star, then retreating and then diving into that tsunami of TIE Fighters makes it the most beautiful scene on cinema history ever!
The scene that made me almost cry was Padme dying in Obi’s arms saying “There’s stil good in him”, It took me back 15 years when I saw Vader admiting to that fact to his son as he died in his arms as well.
Its about editing. Luke became confident enough to take on Darth Vader with a lightsaber and somehow we take Luke seriously in Empire although ‘timeline’ only allows for some simplistic crash course in being a Jedi by Yoda.
But ESB is editing in a way that just keeps us engaged and we don’t think about it. ANH is similarly edited. Dark Knight is as well (everybody mades the exact decision, no matter how ridiculous, that the Joker wants them to make).
I am cleaning this thread a little. Let’s focus on the more interesting talk – the trailer!
Is there a new trailer out yet ?
Unfortunately not. Some guys here claimed to have an inside info and said that the trailer was coming on October 2nd. I checked with a source and I can confirm that it’s not true.
I have it on good authority from multiple sources that it will in fact be attached to The Martian on October 2. The running time is also said to be longer than the usual 2:30sec. I’m pumped
Fair enough. I say the trailer will not be attached to The Martian. I am 99% sure. 🙂
8 days!
And 1% wrong….
Hello Viral Hide,
I am a lurker but I love your site, all the great work you guys do! I was wondering in your honest opinion do you think Finn is a jedi/force sensitive? could you elaborate on the other scene in which he wields the saber? My only interest in the other characters at this point is just in Finn
Just want to get your impression of FInn
Has anyone not thought of this odd change…? Obi Wan clearly stayed on Tatooine [IMO] to watch over Luke. Leia had political ambitions (i.e. safe). Now, no one was secretly watching over Yoda. Didn’t freaking need it. Got his ass handed to him and kept in telepathic contact with everyone. If any of these new descendants need that, then WHO is doing it? Luke seems to want to just wait off the “force hangover” on some island. I like the fella that mentioned coordinates being hidden in Luke’s saber. Which makes me wonder, in ANH, Leia received a “transmission” of the Death Star plans, bringing Vader on their behinds. Why, when everyone on the Falcon knew they were being tracked, did they head to the base anyway? Why not “transmit” the plans? Unless the Falcon doesn’t have internet. hehe
All excellent points. So much of any theory is going to be which “spy reports” you accept and which you do not. Questions like “Why isn’t Luke watching over X” make me smile though, because this isn’t shaping up to be a predictable film, and for that I”m grateful.
They did do a Star Wars weight loss program. It involved Fisher and Hamill.