Finn (Star Wars)

• 1. Conception And Casting

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  Lawrence Kasdan, one of the screenwriters for The Force Awakens, grew angry during script meetings. He accused his fellow writers of not thinking big enough when they considered archetypes like pirates or merchant marines. Kasdan insisted on a renegade stormtrooper instead. This idea became Finn. J.J. Abrams directed the film and sought unknown actors for leading roles. He wanted audiences to have no preconceptions based on an actor's previous work. John Boyega had impressed Abrams in Attack the Block, released in 2011. Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, called Boyega a top candidate from the start. Filmmakers offered him the role after auditioning many others including Tom Holland. Finn's designation FN-2187 references Princess Leia's cell number from the original 1977 Star Wars film. It also nods to Arthur Lipsett's 1963 short film 21-87.

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• 2. The Force Awakens Journey

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  Finn stands atop a cliff on Jakku during his first combat mission. He feels sickened by the cruelty he witnesses within the First Order. He frees Poe Dameron and they steal a TIE fighter together. Their ship crashes into a sinkhole swallowing it whole. Finn searches through wreckage but finds only Poe's jacket before walking alone into the desert. He meets Rey and BB-8 while fleeing pursuit. The trio escapes Jakku aboard the Millennium Falcon. Han Solo and Chewbacca claim ownership of their vessel. Maz Kanata promises to deliver them to the Resistance base. Finn decides to flee the galactic conflict entirely. He changes his mind when the First Order destroys several planets and takes Rey prisoner. He returns to help disable Starkiller Base's protective shield. During the battle, Kylo Ren overpowers him with a lightsaber. Rey wounds Ren and escapes with Finn unconscious in her arms. They bring him to medical care after the base explodes.

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• 3. Desertion And Redemption

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  Rose Tico stuns Finn as he attempts to board an escape pod. She intends to turn him in for desertion until he reveals how the First Order tracks ships through hyperspace. Rose convinces Finn to travel to Canto Bight instead. They enter a luxurious casino where Finn becomes entranced by lavish surroundings. His disillusionment grows when Rose explains that many guests sell weapons to the enemy. DJ frees them from prison despite their refusal of his help. The pair infiltrates Supreme Leader Snoke's flagship but get caught by Phasma. DJ betrays them before they face execution. A Resistance assault throws the ship into chaos. Finn fights Phasma who falls to her death during their struggle. He and Rose escape to Crait aboard a damaged shuttle. Finn flies his speeder toward a cannon intending to sacrifice himself. Rose slams her vehicle into his pushing him out of harm's way. She kisses him before falling unconscious. Wars are not only about fighting enemies but also preserving what is precious. Finn leads the Resistance off Crait alongside Poe Dameron.

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• 4. Jedi Training And Legacy

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  Finn trains as a Jedi under Rey's guidance in The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special. Rey accidentally hurts his feelings when she makes him use a wooden lightsaber during practice. Yoda's spirit tells Rey that patience matters when instructing an apprentice. Finn prevents the Life Day tree from falling using his wooden blade. He cuts through the table while trying to slice roast with Rey's real lightsaber. In The Rise of Skywalker, Finn gains faith in his intuition regarding the Force. He suggests to Jannah that the Force brought former stormtroopers together. Finn becomes co-general after Poe appoints him following Leia's death. He leads a surface attack against Sith Eternal forces on Exegol. During quicksand scenes, Finn nearly reveals he is Force-sensitive to Rey. He stops speaking because Poe listens nearby. J.J. Abrams later confirmed Finn wanted to tell Rey about his abilities. The novelization mentions Finn's connection to the Force explicitly.

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• 5. Critical Reception And Praise

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  Brian Truitt of USA Today praised the dynamic between Finn and Rey. Drew McWeeny called Boyega's performance a great combination of self-interested fear and reluctant heroism. Robbie Collin wrote that Finn displays half-brave half-anxious humor. Peter Travers described Finn as bracingly comic and cunning. Ty Burr noted Finn vacillates between noble impulses and cowardice until interest drops away. John Boyega won the BAFTA Rising Star Award for The Force Awakens. He received a Saturn Award nomination for the same role. Critics highlighted how Boyega charts Finn's evolution as a person throughout three films. Some reviewers found Finn weak compared to other characters but acknowledged his emotional arc.

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• 6. Cultural Impact And Controversy

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  Finn's introduction met with racist reactions online after the first trailer premiered. John Boyega responded by saying he would not lose sleep over such people. He told critics to get used to seeing him in these roles. All films he has done contain commentary on stereotypical mentalities. Boyega stated no man can take away his pride in heritage. He refused to fear those holding different opinions calling them victims of disease in their minds. An abandoned script titled Duel of the Fates gave Finn more screen time. It showed him convincing stormtroopers to defect from the First Order. Concept art featured Finn holding a flag during speeches paralleling Black Lives Matter protests. Boyega publicly criticized The Last Jedi for sidelining characters played by people of color. He held an honest conversation with Kathleen Kennedy who supported his claims about representation issues.

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