After the release of The Force Awakens in 2015, John Boyega, the British-Nigerian actor who played Finn in the latest Star Wars trilogy, became the subject of racial abuse on social media. The abuse intensified following the release of The Last Jedi in 2017, where Boyega’s character was given a more prominent role.
In response to the abuse, Star Wars fans rallied behind Boyega with a “We Love Finn” campaign, to show their support for the actor and his character. The campaign, which began on social media, quickly gained momentum, with fans sharing messages of love and support for Boyega and Finn.
Finn must’ve had balls bigger than a Death Star because this man without any training or sand orphan plot armor, looked my chemical Kylo in his eyes and told him to COME GET IT while wielding the youngling slayer 9000
Finn lost but he still had the spirit of a Jedi #WeLoveFinn pic.twitter.com/iPBXn6tBtW
— Okiro (@TheFirstOkiro) April 17, 2023
Fans Want Finn To Be A Jedi
The campaign is a show of support for Boyega and a statement against racism in the Star Wars fan community. Many fans were appalled by the treatment Boyega received and were determined to make it clear that his character was an important and beloved part of the Star Wars franchise.
Biggest mistake in the new trilogy is not making Finn a Jedi https://t.co/d4UWkOvseu
— Align Mint (@align_orozco) April 18, 2023
Among the 17 million things wrong with the sequels, wasting Finn as a character is easily in the top 5. He shoulda been a Jedi, not comic relief. I have spoken. https://t.co/Ufte48V4cD
— ChristinaJade (@christinajade) April 18, 2023
He had the spirit because he was supposed to become a Jedi before they trashed his entire character arc after this movie. https://t.co/cn4gAhLNmj
— 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐧 (@ProFootballPSI) April 18, 2023
Never ever forgiving Disney for not letting Finn be a Jedi https://t.co/lHPy9CmcIs
— tati 💋 (@teatrodvita) April 18, 2023
The sequel trilogy should have followed Finn’s journey from being a stormtrooper to a Jedi
Think about it, it would have been amazing
But no they just forgot he existed after the force awakens https://t.co/AyVigcWKjs
— Wyldcard 🎗 (@WyldcardArtist) April 18, 2023
The campaign managed to draw attention to the issue of racism in the Star Wars fan community, and it helped to change the narrative around Boyega and his character.
Fans even called out Disney for missing the opportunity to make Finn a Jedi hero. Fans said that the production house should have followed the character’s journey from being a stormtrooper to becoming a Jedi. However, Disney seems to have forgotten about the character after The Force Awakens.
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John Boyega’s Journey As A Stormtrooper
John Boyega played the character of Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. His character is a former stormtrooper whose ideology doesn’t match with the First Order, the military organization that serves as the primary antagonistic force in the films. After leaving the First Order, Finn becomes a key member of the Resistance, a group of rebels fighting against the First Order’s oppressive rule.
The sequel trilogy depicts Boyega’s character as a courageous and loyal ally to the Resistance. His character arc serves as a powerful commentary on themes of loyalty, identity, and the struggle between good and evil. Overall, he plays a complex and dynamic character, who undergoes significant personal growth throughout the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
John Boyega rose to fame for his role as Moses in the 2011 science-fiction film Attack the Block. Boyega began his acting career in theatre, performing in various productions in London’s West End. His talent and dedication to his craft have earned him critical acclaim and numerous accolades throughout his career, including a BAFTA Rising Star Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is available for streaming on Disney+.
Source: Twitter
