John Boyega On 'Finn's' "Epic" Journey In STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

John Boyega On 'Finn's' "Epic" Journey In STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

It's always nice to get some official details regarding Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and here actor John Boyega (Attack the Block) dishes on his "quirky and charismatic and funny" character, Finn, and tearing up reading the screenplay for the first time...

By staypuffed - Sep 23, 2015 11:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: GQ

It's been over 10 years since a new Star Wars film debuted on cinema screens (well, unless you count The Clone Wars), and almost 40 since the franchise begun in 1977. With the latest instalment arriving in just under three months, the feeling of nostalgia towards the franchise is overwhelming for some, and in a new interview with GQ, The Force Awakens star John Boyega revealed even he was affected when getting his hands on the screenplay. "When I read the script I cried, and I'm not really a big crier," he says. "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." Whether this was out of sentimentality for the series or the power of the story, who's to say... let's just hope it's both.

Of course, it's next to impossible to squeeze story details out of Boyega, as it is with anybody else involved with the massively anticipated blockbuster. He does, however, offer a few tidbits regarding his character, Finn. "Finn is dope," he explains. "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."

One of the few things about Finn that we know for certain is that he will wield a lightsaber -- whispers are that it belongs to a certain Skywalker -- and Boyega divulged that they're a little trickier than you might expect... "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." And we will see Boyega in action when Star Wars: The Force Awakens finally arrives in theatres on December 18th. What do you make of his comments?

STAR WARS: Henry Cavill Rumored To Have Had Talks About Potential Role In Simon Kinberg Trilogy
Related:

STAR WARS: Henry Cavill Rumored To Have Had Talks About Potential Role In Simon Kinberg Trilogy

STAR WARS Movie - Most Likely Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's NEW JEDI ORDER - Pulled From 2026 Release Calendar
Recommended For You:

STAR WARS Movie - Most Likely Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's NEW JEDI ORDER - Pulled From 2026 Release Calendar

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

MyNameIsKhan
MyNameIsKhan - 9/23/2015, 11:23 PM
This will be momentous a new
era in the beloved space opera

December 18th folks DECEMBER 18TH!
AleSir19
AleSir19 - 9/23/2015, 11:24 PM
SECOND!!!!
SmellofDuty
SmellofDuty - 9/23/2015, 11:25 PM
Excited to see what he does with his performance in TFA. Having a person play a central role in a franchise that they really care about and are willing to be all in for is truly amazing.

SmellofDuty
SmellofDuty - 9/23/2015, 11:26 PM
Also,

loki668
loki668 - 9/24/2015, 12:33 AM
@dethpillow

If they DO kill Chewbacca, it will just be so that he can ascend to his rightful place as the Wookie god of wine: CHEWBACCHUS!!!!!
Humperdink
Humperdink - 9/24/2015, 1:13 AM
Boyega in tears from the script?
I'm just too hyped for this movie right now.

NeoBaggins
NeoBaggins - 9/24/2015, 2:05 AM
"Finn is dope,"

TheDpool
TheDpool - 9/24/2015, 3:25 AM
I'm still partly shocked that this actor from Attack the Block and that thing on BBC Three is in Star Wars now.
SuperCat
SuperCat - 9/24/2015, 3:45 AM
DoctorDoomSayer
DoctorDoomSayer - 9/24/2015, 3:59 AM
he was awesome in Attack The Block, played an excellent leader.
Tempo
Tempo - 9/24/2015, 4:17 AM
I cried,best script ever,fantastic journey...bla bla bla,publicize this movie like you want,nobody can reach the originals legend,plus Abrams is a crap.
CoolantTech77
CoolantTech77 - 9/24/2015, 4:22 AM
Has this guy done anything beside Attack the Block, i mean people keep praising him as an actor so he has to have done something else right? I seen that movie btw it was ok and he was good in it but i think i need to see a little more acting chops for him to win me over, no doubt he'll being it though.

Totally stoked for this movie
GhostDog
GhostDog - 9/24/2015, 4:28 AM
@SmellofDuty
BestAtWhatIDo
BestAtWhatIDo - 9/24/2015, 4:36 AM
Based on all of the leaks, I don't think he's a jedi. I think he picks up the lightsaber in a moment of desperation, which is pretty badass. Seems like a great character - really liked the sound of his dialogue from the talking Finn doll or whatever.
EricBorder
EricBorder - 9/24/2015, 4:40 AM
Nice, can't wait for this

Btw, @staypuffed

First episode of "Super Mansion" is out! haha

GhostDog
GhostDog - 9/24/2015, 4:45 AM
He played a pretty tough nosed leader in Attack The Block. People are bringing up how his filmography isn't very extensive and maybe he hasn't shown enough acting chops....every newcomer has that BIG film that puts them on the map. A film that requires all the charisma and talent they've got. Attack The Block was like a great performance in a 1st round playoff game and Star Wars is the fourth quarter in the championship. Boyega now has the chance to show the world how good an actor he is. He's gotta bring everything he's got here. Same can be said for Daisy Ridley, who doesn't even have as much film experience as Boyega. I like this dude. He's like a young Denzel. And Attack The Block showed that he can play a tough leader.

DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 9/24/2015, 4:48 AM
@EricBorder

Haha, That's awesome, @dethpillow , Super Mansion! ha

DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 9/24/2015, 4:48 AM
Can't wait for Star Wars!
Kyos
Kyos - 9/24/2015, 5:03 AM
gulducati
gulducati - 9/24/2015, 6:57 AM
He said the word no SW fan wants to hear: treadmill
McGee
McGee - 9/24/2015, 6:59 AM
So when are the tickets going on sale for this crap? I'm assuming it might already be sold out for the first weekend as the hype for this has been....YOU CAN EAT A DICK, DRUNKEN NUKE!!! >:(
Batman5
Batman5 - 9/24/2015, 8:26 AM
WHERE IS THE DAMN FULL TRAILER??? come on disney you are killing me. I need this movie now! And I really hope/think finn will eventually become a jedi like hes already force sensitive but maybe he dsnt know it till like the end of the movie. Rey is deff a jedi tho, she has to be.
xcan
xcan - 9/24/2015, 8:44 AM
he seems like a really nice guy, but I soooo hated 'attack the block' so I hope that I can separate my views for him in that movie and this star wars.

right now, when I see him I think of his character in that shitfed movie and it ticks me off.
marvelstudios
marvelstudios - 9/24/2015, 10:10 AM
God forbid, his character is "funny"...

In all seriousness, can't wait for this. Its going to be amazing.
Justsomenerd
Justsomenerd - 9/24/2015, 12:03 PM
I sincerely hope that there is not a public backlash if Finn is not a Jedi. I Sincerely hope there isn't public backlash if he is a Jedi. I sincerely hope that Episode VII delivers a great new story to the SW Universe.

That said, I dont think that Finn is a Jedi in Ep. 7 and I am not sure if he will become one in the trilogy. Finn is a trained Stormtrooper. Finn is a soldier. It is unlikely that Finn has ever displayed force powers or he wouldn't have become a Stromtrooper.

We know he picks up a lightsaber and duels with Kylo Ren. Unless Finn is a Jedi that duel won't end well for him. Kylo is a trained knight and obviously a force user. So Finn losing an arm is a very real possibility. Does anyone think he will win that duel vs Kylo? If Kylo isn't a one-off villain then he will win that duel.

On StarWars.com Finn's bio is this: "A trained warrior desperate to escape his past (as a Stormtrooper), Finn is plunged into adventure as his conscience drives him down a heroic, but dangerous, path."

Now the dangerous path could be the path a Jedi faces between dark and light. Maybe. But, he isn't a Jedi at the beginning of the film.

Finn is a major character in the new trilogy. But, he may not be a Jedi. He may become a military leader in the rebellion instead. That would be appropriate given that this is Star Wars.
Speak4yourself
Speak4yourself - 9/24/2015, 1:12 PM
I have a feeling the surname of Boyega's character is going to be "Calrissian"
Talontd
Talontd - 9/24/2015, 1:29 PM
@Speak4yourself

I'm still hoping it's Windu!
xXAVPXx
xXAVPXx - 9/24/2015, 3:41 PM
Way too hyped for this movie, can't wait to see what John and the rest of the new cast bring to the Star Wars franchise.



KiddSoul
KiddSoul - 9/24/2015, 4:53 PM
Finn Windu? lol
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 9/24/2015, 6:20 PM
@dethpillow

Hahaha, nice, I got to watch that episode tonight, Cooch is awesome! Love it, I'll definitely tune in for more
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 9/24/2015, 9:10 PM
...He probably cried cuz he got to the part of the script where they reveal Finn isn't really a Jedi...
View Recorder