While the sequel trilogy in theStar Warsseries has managed to split fansas hard as the prequel trilogyoriginally had, it’s probably safe to say that one of the most beloved characters from the latest films was the Stormtrooper turned resistance hero, Finn. Upon his introduction into theStar Warscanon, fans were immediately interested to explore the life of a Stormtrooper. Finn’s career as the horrendously inaccurate foe wouldn’t be all that long, and he would soon join forces with Rey and Poe to save the galaxy.
There was one moment fromThe Force Awakensthat had everyStar Warsfan biting their nails, and that was when Finn confidently picked up a lightsaberto confront Kylo Ren. The whole situation ended up being a bit of a bait and switch. It was never properly addressed, but it’s clear that Finn is a Force-sensitive being. This has made many fans wonder whether Finn should have become a Jedi during the sequel trilogy.
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Could Finn Have Become A Jedi?
Before determining whether Finn shouldhave become a Jedi, it’s important to ponder the idea of whether it was even possible for him to do so Luckily, there is plenty of evidence throughout the sequel trilogy that indicates Finn, like Rey, is Force sensitive, a major factor in becoming a Jedi. Considering Finn is at least mildly connected to the Force, even if in an unrefined way, it seems obvious that he, at the very least, has the capacity to become a Jedi with the right training and teacher.
Finn takes up the lightsaber wielded by both Anakinand Luke Skywalkermultiple times duringThe Force Awakens, and while that was part of the eventual bait and switch, it does hint at some kind of connection to the Force. That’s without mentioning that at multiple points across the series, Finn is shown to be capable of sensing people who are considerable distances away, an ability that almost certainly has to do with Force. At one point inThe Last Jedi, Finn senses the presence of Kylo Ren long before he actually appears on the planet that Finn and the crew are on. There weren’t many people who could have trained Finn in the ways of the Force, but it’s likely that if he had joined Rey to be trained by Luke, he could have become a powerful Jedi in his own right.
Why Finn Should Have Become A Jedi
There are a number of reasons why Finn probably should have become a Jedi from both a lore standpoint and a storytelling standpoint. One of the biggest reasons is that with an additional Jedi in the mix, the overall storyline ofStar Warshas a lot more directions to head in afterThe Rise of Skywalker. His being a Jedi might lead some to thinkthe entire sequel trilogywould have to change, but realistically, Finn could have been a Jedi and had the exact same story play out with only minor changes to the action and conflict resolution.
Dealing the limited availability of lightsabers during the era of the sequel trilogy would be tricky, but not overly difficult. That way, both Finn and Rey could wield their own blades on their own important adventures. It actually might have made for an even more exciting story withan unrefined pseudo-Jedi in Finn, running around acting like a Jedi despite not having any official training. It could have given Finn a unique dynamic as a character, while also giving fans a Jedi who takes more time to think of creative ways to handle problems instead of flipping around with their lightsaber.
It’s not uncommon forStar Warsfans to agree that Finn was overlooked when it comes to a worthwhile story in the sequel trilogy, and being a Jedi could have made him all the more special. Even if he remained in some of the more lackluster parts ofThe Last JediandThe Rise of Skywalker, his wielding a lightsaberand rudimentary control of the Forcewould have kept fans interested to see how he’d keep surviving. Then there’s the whole Stormtrooper-turned-Jedi dynamic, which would be fascinating to explore when compared to Stormtrooper-turned-resistance fighter.
Why Finn Shouldn’t Have Become A Jedi
One of the biggest reasons why it makes sense that Finn never became a Jedi is because it would have takenaway from Reyas a character. Whether fans like her or not, Rey was intended to be a way to empower young girls by telling the story of a powerful female Jedi, and introducing another Jedi on her side might have lessened her impact. Finn being a Jedi would have made it feel like he should have been a part of the main hero-villain narrative, and that would have resulted in him stepping on Rey’s toes to some degree. While that would have been interesting, it would also have tipped the scales solidly against Kylo Ren, regardless of how fearsome he was supposed to be.
Finn wouldn’t necessarily need to be a part ofRey and Kylo Ren’s storyif he were a Jedi. However, it wouldn’t be a shock to see fans react negatively if he were a Jedi and was in no way a part of the final battle against Palpatine. That whole situation would be even more odd since some would be irritated by that, while others would have been irritated if he was involved since Finn has zero connection to Palpatine. For the story that was told, it makes sense that Finn never ended up becoming a Jedi.
Will Finn Return As A Jedi?
If, by some miracle, Finn does return to the series in moreStar Warsmovies, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were considered a Jedi. At the close ofThe Rise of Skywalker,Rey is left with a single option: begin the journey to restore the Jedi Order. One of her closest companions, Finn is not only Force sensitive, has not only wielded a lightsaber, but has proved his skill and bravery against unfavorable odds. It’s that very thing that makes Finn a perfect candidate to learn from Rey, and ultimately assist her with restoring the Jedi to their former glory.
A decision like this provides plenty of avenues for storytelling in the future. Finn could become a respected Jedi master in his own right,loyal to Rey’s new order. Alternatively, Finn could fail to live up to his potential and grow bitter, causing an eventual fracture in Rey’s Jedi Order. There are plenty of options for storytelling, it would just come down to whether or not the writers in charge ofStar Warsdecide to do something interesting and daring with the underutilized character.
