Star Wars: John Boyega Reveals Finn’s Greatest Strength and Flaw

When we first met FN-2187, the runaway Stormtrooper seemed like a fearful coward, running away from a battle he had no hopes of winning. But Finn’s priorities changed over the course of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and now he’s a hero of the Resistance.

While speaking with John Boyega at the media junket for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the actor addressed his character’s strengths and flaws, teasing some more growth for Finn in the new movie.

“I think he does feel an innate need to show loyalty to those he cares about,” said Boyega, speaking about the character’s greatest attributes. “So once you’re a brother of Finn, you’re a brother forever. That’s something that’s quite interesting about him.”

But Finn also had trouble facing his fears in Episode VII, trying to escape the wrath of his former comrades in the First Order rather than stopping their evil from spreading.

“I think sometimes he gets into his own head,” Boyega said of Finn’s biggest flaw. “Assumes that a situation is going to go bad and doesn’t try. But he’s going to learn how to change that in this film.”

While Boyega hinted at some interesting developments for his character, the actor is notoriously tight lipped about his projects and wouldn’t slip any spoilers.

But based on the trailers, we now know that Finn has “something to fight for,” and will undertake a dangerous mission alongside new companion Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran). Though he spent most of The Force Awakens attempting to run away from the First Order, he’ll be infiltrating their ranks.

It doesn’t look like his mission will go smoothly, especially given the presence of these new Executioner Stormtroopers.

Clips from the trailer have also shown a confrontation with Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), who will be out for revenge after being tossed in a trash compactor before the destruction of Starkiller Base.

Boyega previously teased that Finn would “have a fight with a formidable opponent” in The Last Jedi (See? No spoilers), and it seems apparent that he was talking about Phasma.

We’ll find out how Finn fares in his new career as a Resistance hero when Star Wars: The Last Jedi premieres in theaters on December 15.