John Boyega’s Candid Take: The "Lightsaber Guy" Wants More Talk in Star Wars

Star Wars sequel trilogy star John Boyega isn't shy about his preference for lightsabers over phasers, but he's got some surprisingly thoughtful insights on what George Lucas's universe could learn from its rival, Star Trek.

TL;DR:

• John Boyega, famously Finn in the Star Wars sequels, says he's a "lightsaber guy" and generally dislikes Star Trek's talk-heavy approach.
• However, he believes Star Wars could benefit from more "time to have discussions" to let audiences connect with character developments.
• Boyega has openly shared his alternate vision for the sequel trilogy, including different fates for original heroes and a more dramatic arc for Finn and Rey.

Why John Boyega, The Unapologetic Lightsaber Guy, Doesn't Love Star Trek's "Too Much Talking"

We all know John Boyega as Finn, the stormtrooper-turned-Resistance hero from the most recent Star Wars sequel trilogy, encompassing The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. He's a true Star Wars loyalist, and he's not afraid to say it!

During a recent appearance at Dragon Con, Boyega made it clear he's not exactly a Trekkie. In fact, he often tells fans at booths that he "doesn't like Star Trek." His main beef? "Too much talking."

He put it pretty plainly:

"I’m an old school Star Wars fan, and if you’re a Trekkie and you’ve met me at the booths, you would find that I would mention that I don’t like Star Trek. I just think that on the Trekkie side they like to talk about it. On the Star Wars side, we just get active. With Star Wars, you’ve got to talk while the war is going on."

— John Boyega, Dragon Con (via PopVerse)

And when asked if he'd ever consider jumping ship to Star Trek? Nope, not happening. Boyega affirmed his commitment to his home galaxy: "In terms of me appearing in [Star Trek], I’ve got to stay on-team. I’m a lightsaber guy." It sounds like his heart, and his blaster, are firmly with the Resistance.

A Surprising Insight: What Star Wars Could Learn from Star Trek's Deeper Discussions

Despite his playful rivalry, Boyega admitted that Star Wars could actually learn a thing or two from its sci-fi counterpart. His core observation? Star Trek gives its characters "time to have discussions."

This isn't just about leisurely chats; it's about giving characters, and by extension, the audience, space to process events and connect more deeply with the narrative. He hinted that Finn, Rey, and their friends could have used more moments to talk things out, free from the constant threat of blaster fire or Force chokes.

Many fans might agree. Star Wars storylines can sometimes move at warp speed, leaving viewers little chance to fully grasp emotional shifts or character motivations before the next big action sequence. This rapid pacing could be seen in Finn's own journey, where he transformed from a stormtrooper to a key Resistance hero quite quickly, only to then feel like he faded into the background. It’s an interesting point, especially considering that J.J. Abrams, who directed Boyega in The Force Awakens, has also helmed two Star Trek films, bridging both universes.

Boyega's Vision: How He Would Have Transformed the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

Boyega hasn't been shy about his feelings on the Star Wars sequel trilogy (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker), which received a "mixed reception" from fans. He's been quite open about the changes he would have made if he had been in a producer role. At Florida Supercon 2025 (as reported in October 2025 articles), he stated that fans "would have had a completely different thing" under his guidance.

Two major areas he'd have tweaked dramatically:

1. The Original Heroes' Fates: Boyega felt that the sagas' original heroes, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, who were killed off in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi respectively, were handled poorly. He would have preferred to "fulfill their legacy" rather than ending their stories so abruptly.
2. New Characters' Power Levels: He also believed that the new characters were made "too powerful" too quickly. Boyega suggested a slower power progression, allowing audiences to follow their development over time, much like how Luke Skywalker's journey unfolded across the original trilogy.

These comments highlight a desire for more nuanced storytelling and deeper character investment, echoing his point about Star Trek's discussion-rich approach.

Unpacking Finn and Rey's Potential — A Different Story Arc for the Sequel Trilogy

Beyond the broader structural changes, Boyega also had specific ideas for his character, Finn, and his relationship with Daisy Ridley's Rey. Speaking at Fan Expo Boston in August, he revealed he expected a "more dramatic relationship" to develop between Finn and Rey, something beyond the "simple friendship" viewers ultimately got.

He even picked up on hints in The Force Awakens script that suggested Finn was secretly Force-sensitive. Boyega envisioned this plotline evolving into a more tragic, even antagonistic, turn. He compared his idea for their dynamic to the classic Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader showdown, believing it would have given Finn "more of a story arc" and a truly compelling journey.

It's clear Boyega envisioned a much richer and more complex role for Finn than what ultimately materialized on screen, aligning with his frustration about characters needing more time for development and meaningful interactions.

The Future of Finn: Will John Boyega Ever Return to a Galaxy Far, Far Away?

With Daisy Ridley confirmed to return as Rey in a new Star Wars movie, set to take place 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker (directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and written by Steven Knight), rumors about John Boyega's potential return as Finn have naturally circulated. However, as of now, there's "no word on Boyega following suit."

Given his candid and at times critical remarks about the direction of the sequel trilogy, and his previous statement that any return would be "dependent on treating the character well," it seems Boyega is holding firm. While the door might not be entirely shut, his return as Finn appears "unlikely" unless Lucasfilm offers a compelling arc that truly respects the character he envisioned.

Upcoming Adventures in the Star Wars Universe Beyond Finn's Story

While we await any news on Finn's future, the Star Wars universe continues to expand. Fans can look forward to new adventures with:

• The Mandalorian and Grogu: Hitting screens next year.
• Star Wars: Starfighter: Expected in 2027, with Ryan Gosling starring.

These projects show that the galaxy far, far away is ever-evolving. Perhaps, in time, it will find new ways to incorporate the kind of character depth and reflective storytelling that John Boyega admires, whether Finn is part of it or not.

FAQ: Your Questions About John Boyega and Star Wars Answered What did John Boyega say Star Wars could learn from Star Trek? John Boyega stated that Star Wars could learn from Star Trek's ability to "give you time to have discussions" among characters, allowing for deeper connection and development. Is John Boyega returning to Star Wars as Finn? Currently, there is no official word on John Boyega reprising his role as Finn in any upcoming Star Wars projects. Daisy Ridley is confirmed to return as Rey in a new movie. What were John Boyega's criticisms of the Star Wars sequel trilogy? Boyega believed the sequel trilogy would have been "completely different" if he were a producer. He would have handled the original heroes (Han Solo, Luke Skywalker) differently and made new characters less powerful. He also expected a more dramatic, possibly antagonistic, Force-sensitive arc for Finn with Rey. When did John Boyega make these comments? John Boyega made these recent comments during appearances at Dragon Con, Florida Supercon 2025, and Fan Expo Boston. Sources

• Statements by John Boyega at Dragon Con (reported by PopVerse)
• Interviews from Florida Supercon 2025
• Comments at Fan Expo Boston