Star Wars actor John Boyega has expressed his desire for his character to be mentored by one of the iconic Jedi from the prequel series.
At the 2026 Rebel Scum Con, Boyega shared his interest in having his character, Finn, trained by Mace Windu, the beloved Jedi Master portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson in the Star Wars prequels. This mentorship would not only allow Finn to have a guide other than Rey (played by Daisy Ridley), but it would also explore one of the lingering questions in the Star Wars saga: the fate of Mace Windu after the events of Revenge of the Sith.
Boyega’s suggestion comes after the sequel trilogy hinted at Finn’s growing connection with the Force. While Star Wars: The Force Awakens initially did not confirm Finn as Force-sensitive, his actions, such as wielding Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, suggested otherwise. This aspect of his character was more evident in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, where Finn consistently demonstrated his ability to sense occurrences via the Force and attempted to share something significant with Rey, though he never completed his revelation.
In past discussions, Boyega has talked about the evolution of Finn’s character arc throughout the trilogy. He noted that J.J. Abrams, the director of The Force Awakens, originally had a more substantial storyline planned for Finn. However, changes by other directors in the subsequent films altered his character’s trajectory, until some elements were reintroduced by Abrams in The Rise of Skywalker.
Introducing Mace Windu as Finn’s mentor would require significant adjustments to the established Star Wars lore. The last time audiences saw Mace Windu was in Revenge of the Sith, where he was defeated by Anakin Skywalker, who severed his hand before Palpatine attacked him with Force lightning and expelled him from a Coruscant window. While it was strongly implied that he perished, his death was never confirmed on screen, potentially to avoid distressing younger viewers.
Samuel L. Jackson himself has fueled speculation by suggesting that Mace Windu could have survived, pointing out that other characters have lived through severe injuries and falls in the Star Wars universe. Jackson has also shown interest in reprising his role in future Star Wars projects, adding to the intrigue surrounding Mace Windu’s fate.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
