During a spotlight panel at Florida Supercon 2025 in Miami Beach, Star Wars actor John Boyega shared a candid and detailed vision for how he would have reshaped the sequel trilogy—The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker—had he been a producer from the start, as reported by Popverse. Best known for portraying Finn, the Stormtrooper-turned-hero, Boyega responded to an audience question about remaking the sequels with a forthright perspective, revealing his deep respect for the franchise’s legacy and a desire to expand its universe while staying true to its established lore.
Boyega, who has previously expressed dissatisfaction with Finn’s arc in the sequels, outlined significant changes he would implement. “It would be mad,” he began, setting the stage for a reimagined trilogy. “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.”
This statement reflects Boyega’s intent to preserve the iconic characters from the original trilogy, ensuring their stories conclude with meaningful resolutions rather than abrupt ends. The deaths of Han Solo in The Force Awakens and Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi were pivotal moments in the sequels, and Boyega’s comments suggest he would have crafted a narrative that allowed these characters to pass the torch to the next generation in a more fulfilling way.
Beyond the legacy characters, Boyega emphasized a grounded approach to the newer characters introduced in the sequels, including Finn, Rey, and Poe. “Our new characters will not be [overpowered] in these movies,” he said. “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.” This approach indicates Boyega’s preference for character development rooted in struggle and growth, aligning the new heroes’ journeys with the challenges faced by their predecessors in the Star Wars saga.
Boyega’s vision extended beyond character arcs to the broader Star Wars universe. He expressed a desire to draw inspiration from untapped corners of the franchise’s lore, specifically mentioning the Old Republic era and The Force Unleashed video game series. “I'd look to the Old Republic stories,” he explained. “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 in within the respective boundaries that stay true.”
This approach highlights Boyega’s commitment to enriching the Star Wars mythology by incorporating elements from its expanded universe while maintaining fidelity to its established canon. The Old Republic, a period thousands of years before the events of the films, is rich with stories of Jedi and Sith conflicts, offering fertile ground for new narratives. Similarly, The Force Unleashed introduced compelling characters like Starkiller, whose stories could bridge the gap between the prequels and the original trilogy.
Perhaps Boyega’s most striking comment came when he addressed Luke Skywalker’s arc in The Last Jedi, where the Jedi Master appeared as a Force projection before vanishing. “But Luke Skywalker wouldn't be disappearing on a rock,” Boyega declared. “Hell no. Standing there and he's, like, a projector? I would want to give those characters way more way more.” This statement underscores his belief that legacy characters deserved more substantial roles, ensuring their contributions to the saga were fully realized.
The panel, part of Florida Supercon 2025’s lineup, showcased Boyega’s passion for Star Wars and his thoughtful approach to storytelling. The convention, held in Miami Beach, is a premier pop culture event that brings together celebrities, comic creators, anime voice actors, and more, offering fans a chance to engage with their favorite franchises. Boyega’s full spotlight panel is available to watch on Popverse, providing further insight into his perspective on the galaxy far, far away.
Boyega’s comments at Florida Supercon 2025 offer a glimpse into a Star Wars sequel trilogy that could have balanced reverence for its iconic characters with bold expansions of its universe. While his vision remains speculative, it reflects a deep understanding of the franchise’s potential and a desire to honor its legacy while pushing its boundaries.
