How John Boyega Would Completely Redesign The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

The recent interview reveals John Boyega’s candid vision for reimagining the Star Wars sequel trilogy he starred in, particularly addressing narrative choices that drew significant criticism from both fans and cast members alike.

The Problem With Legacy Character Deaths

One of Boyega’s primary concerns centers on how the trilogy handled its original protagonists. By the final installment, all three major legacy heroes meet their end: Han Solo is killed by his own son Kylo Ren, Luke Skywalker fades away after a Force projection confrontation, and Leia’s arc concludes due to Carrie Fisher’s tragic passing during production. Boyega contends that this approach fundamentally misinterprets what “passing the torch” should mean, arguing that eliminating the entire previous generation wasn’t the solution the story needed.

Character Development and the “Mary Sue” Question

Beyond leadership transitions, Boyega raises broader concerns about character writing consistency. Rey faced persistent criticism for possessing seemingly inexplicable mastery across piloting, combat, and Force abilities despite her isolated upbringing. Similarly, Finn’s sudden expertise with a lightsaber—immediately defeating Kylo Ren on his first attempt—strained believability.

More frustratingly for Boyega, his character appeared deliberately written as Force-sensitive, yet this narrative thread was systematically abandoned throughout the trilogy, representing a significant missed opportunity.

Drawing Inspiration From The Force Unleashed Universe

To illustrate his vision for more compelling protagonist power progression, Boyega references both Lucas Arts’ expanded universe content and the acclaimed video game The Force Unleashed. That game featured Starkiller, an extraordinarily powerful—arguably overwhelming—Force-wielding apprentice to Darth Vader, capable of feats like tearing apart Star Destroyers. While an unconventional comparison, it illustrates how Force-sensitive characters could possess genuinely formidable abilities with proper narrative scaffolding.

Looking Forward

Boyega remains open to returning to the franchise if opportunities arise, though no active Star Wars projects in that timeline are currently in development. His critique extends beyond personal grievance, highlighting structural storytelling issues that affected the entire trilogy’s reception regardless of individual performance.