5 Shocking Revelations About Finn With A Lightsaber: The Force-Sensitive Stormtrooper's Unused Jedi Destiny
The image of Finn, a former First Order stormtrooper, gripping the iconic blue Skywalker lightsaber is one of the most powerful and enduring moments of the modern Star Wars era. It instantly sparked a global fan debate: was Finn Force-sensitive, destined to become the first non-Force-sensitive hero to wield the legendary weapon, or was he a true Jedi in the making? As of December 21, 2025, the answer has been cemented, not just by on-screen teases, but by official canon and an explosive behind-the-scenes look at the sequel trilogy’s original, scrapped vision, revealing a much grander destiny for the character.
This article dives deep into the latest official confirmations and the compelling, unused storylines that would have transformed Finn from a runaway soldier into a central figure of the New Jedi Order. From his desperate duel with Kylo Ren on Starkiller Base to John Boyega’s candid thoughts on the character's sidelined arc, we explore why Finn's brief time with the lightsaber remains a pivotal and controversial topic among Star Wars fans and what officially happened to his potential.
The Man Behind the Saber: Finn's Biography and Origins
Finn, originally designated FN-2187, represents a revolutionary character in the Star Wars saga: a stormtrooper who defects to the side of good. His journey is one of moral awakening and choosing a new destiny, a narrative thread that became inextricably linked to the lightsaber he briefly carried.
- Full Name/Designation: FN-2187 (later named Finn by Poe Dameron).
- Homeworld: Unknown (Taken from his family as an infant by the First Order).
- Affiliation (Initial): First Order Stormtrooper.
- Affiliation (Later): Resistance, later a General in the Resistance.
- Key Allies: Rey, Poe Dameron, Chewbacca, BB-8.
- Key Weaponry: F-11D Blaster Rifle, and briefly, the Skywalker Lightsaber.
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015).
- Actor: John Boyega.
- Defining Moment: Refusing to fire on civilians on Jakku, leading to his defection.
His background as a child soldier raised in a brutal, dehumanizing regime provides a powerful emotional core to his story. His decision to abandon the First Order is an act of pure free will, a choice that immediately sets him apart and foreshadows his later connection to the mystical energy field known as the Force. His moral compass, rather than any formal training, is what first guides him to the lightsaber.
The Electrifying Duel: Finn's Lightsaber Moments in The Force Awakens
Finn’s use of the lightsaber is primarily contained within Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, yet the impact of these scenes shaped the perception of his character for the entire trilogy. These moments established him as a hero willing to face overwhelming odds.
Defending the Innocent: The First Clash
Finn first ignites the weapon—the legendary blade once wielded by Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker—in Maz Kanata's castle. This moment is crucial. When the First Order attacks, Finn takes up the lightsaber to protect Rey and the other Resistance fighters, demonstrating a profound, selfless courage. He engages a First Order trooper, often dubbed "TR-8R" by fans, who wields a Z6 riot control baton. While he is outmatched and eventually disarmed, the sheer audacity of a stormtrooper taking on the First Order with a Jedi weapon signaled a new kind of hero.
The Iconic Confrontation: Finn vs. Kylo Ren
The climax of Finn’s lightsaber journey comes during the final battle on Starkiller Base. After Kylo Ren defeats Han Solo, Finn confronts the powerful Dark Side user in a desperate attempt to protect an unconscious Rey. This duel is arguably the most significant moment for the character. Finn, fueled by loyalty and adrenaline, manages to hold his own for a short time against a wounded but highly trained Kylo Ren. While Ren ultimately defeats Finn, leaving him severely injured, the scene solidified Finn's place in Star Wars history as the ex-stormtrooper who dared to challenge a Sith-trained warrior.
Confirmed: Finn's Force Sensitivity and The Unused Jedi Arc
For years, the question of whether Finn was truly Force-sensitive remained a source of intense fan debate. The ambiguity arose because, while he wielded the lightsaber, The Last Jedi shifted his focus away from the Jedi path. However, recent canonical material has finally provided a definitive answer, confirming what many fans—and the actor himself—always believed.
The Official Canon Confirmation
It is now officially confirmed that Finn is Force-sensitive. This revelation came through the novelization and other adaptations of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. The film itself only teased this, most notably in a scene where Finn desperately tries to tell Rey something before they sink into the quicksand on Pasaana. The adaptation confirms that what Finn was trying to communicate was his realization that he could sense the Force, a moment J.J. Abrams intended to be clearer in the final cut.
This confirmation retroactively changes the interpretation of his lightsaber duel in The Force Awakens. His ability to hold his own against Kylo Ren was not just due to stormtrooper training—a popular, though now secondary, theory—but was an innate ability guided by the nascent power of the Force within him.
John Boyega's Vision and Scrapped Plans
Actor John Boyega has been vocal about his initial understanding and desire for Finn's character arc. He admitted he "assumed he was Force-sensitive from The Force Awakens," a belief shared by director J.J. Abrams. Boyega also confirmed that there were cut scenes intended to make Finn's connection to the Force more explicit.
The actor has also expressed disappointment that this arc was not fully realized, particularly in The Last Jedi, which diverted Finn’s story into the Canto Bight side-quest. While necessary for his character to fully commit to the Resistance, this side-quest sidelined the potential Jedi storyline that had been so heavily foreshadowed by the lightsaber.
What Could Have Been: Colin Trevorrow's Scrapped Vision
The most compelling recent information involves the unused script for Episode IX, titled Duel of the Fates, written by Colin Trevorrow. This script represents the ultimate, unrealized destiny of Finn with a lightsaber, a story arc that John Boyega has publicly praised.
The Duel of the Fates Arc
In Trevorrow's vision, Finn was not only fully Force-sensitive but was set to become a leader in a new generation of Force-wielders. Key elements of this scrapped arc include:
- A Leader of Defectors: Finn would have led a mission to Coruscant to rally a revolt among other former stormtroopers and First Order defectors, using his unique background to inspire a new army against the tyrannical regime.
- A Lightsaber of His Own: Concept art and script details suggest Finn would have constructed his own lightsaber, a unique moment of self-discovery and commitment to the Jedi path, signifying his full embrace of his Force heritage.
- Direct Conflict with the First Order: His arc would have culminated in a more direct, Force-powered confrontation with the First Order's leadership, cementing his role as a true hero and a symbol of hope for the oppressed.
Boyega loved this version of the story, acknowledging that Trevorrow was going to tell the story of Finn's Force-sensitivity. The existence of this detailed, unused script confirms the initial, powerful intention behind Finn's character: the stormtrooper was always meant to be a Jedi, a destiny tragically left on the cutting room floor.
The Legacy of Finn, The Lightsaber Wielder
The legacy of Finn with a lightsaber is a complex one, a blend of on-screen heroism and unfulfilled potential. He remains a powerful symbol of choice, redemption, and the idea that the Force can be found in the most unexpected of places—even within the ranks of the enemy. His brief, electrifying moments with the Skywalker lightsaber in The Force Awakens were not a fluke, but the first spark of a Force connection that has now been officially validated in Star Wars canon.
While the sequel trilogy concluded without Finn becoming a full-fledged Jedi Knight, the latest information ensures his place in the saga is more profound than a simple sidekick. He is canonically Force-sensitive, a hero whose destiny was meant to be far grander, and whose brief tenure with the lightsaber will forever be remembered as one of the most exciting "what ifs" in Star Wars history. The fan theories were right all along.
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