The Star Wars sequels have proven to be every bit as controversial as the prequels (perhaps more so), while stars Oscar Isaac and John Boyega have not been overly complimentary about their experiences in a Galaxy Far, Far Away. Ultimately, they were both took issue with the way their characters were treated, with Boyega particularly disappointed by Finn's story arc.
As he said in an interview earlier this year, "[What] I would say to Disney is do not bring out a Black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are, and then have them pushed to the side. It’s not good."
Now, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Boyega has revealed that he was actually contacted by a Disney executive shortly after his comments went viral.
"It was a very honest, a very transparent conversation," the actor admitted. "There was a lot of explaining on their end in terms of the way they saw things. They gave me a chance also to explain what my experience was like."
"I'd hope that me being so open with my career, at this stage, would help the next man, the guy that wants to be the assistant DOP, the guy that wants to be a producer. I hope that the conversation is not such a taboo or elephant in the room now, because someone just came and said it."
Disney definitely made a mistake with the way Finn was utilized in The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, and to see him sidelined that way was a real disappointment.
Unfortunately, Finn's story is unlikely to continue on screen, but Disney has hopefully learned from past mistakes when it comes to the portrayal of diverse characters in this Galaxy Far, Far Away.