Classic Star Wars Character to Return in Episode 8

We’re now less than two weeks away from not just the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but the relaunch of the entire saga. Sequels are planned to come out over the next five years, each one continuing the story that began all the way back in 1977. Of course, because of all the secrecy surrounding the franchise, not much is known about the players who will be returning for future titles – but now at least one name has been confirmed: John Boyega.

The cast and filmmakers behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens took part in a special press conference this afternoon in Los Angeles, and it was while discussing the future of the Star Wars franchise that LucasFilm President Kathleen Kennedynon-verbally confirmed that John Boyega’s Finn will be one of the characters who will be coming back for writer/director Rian Johnson’s upcoming Episode VIII. Sitting on a couch alongside Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Gwendoline Christie and Harrison Ford, the executive/producer was asked about how much of the future of the franchise was mapped out, and it was a notable pat on the back that she gave while answering that provided us a hint about the next saga chapter. Said Kennedy,

We haven’t mapped out every single detail yet, but obviously everybody is talking to one another, working together, and that collaboration is I think is what is going to guarantee that everybody has a say in how we move forward with this. And so far it’s going great. J.J. [Abrams] and Rian [Johnson] already talk at length, because Rian is about to start shooting Episode VIII - these guys (pats John Boyega on the back) are getting ready to head over in January.

It’s entirely possible that Kathleen Kennedy was also including all of the other actors on the couch within her statement (particularly because of the plural "these guys"), but it was her body language that at least confirmed that we will be getting to see more of John Boyega in a galaxy far, far away for years to come.

Of course, knowing that Finn will be back for Star Wars: Episode VIII doesn’t exactly tell us much, as we still know very little about the character and his exact role within the saga. We know that he will be starting the narrative of The Force Awakens as a Stormtrooper working for The First Order; that he eventually teams up alongside Rey (Daisy Ridley), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) on a mission; and that he will get to hold his very own lightsaber; but everything else about him has been kept completely under wraps.

As things stand, the future of the Star Wars universe remains a very tantalizing mystery, but on December 18th we will finally be getting the answers we’re looking for, and a hint as to what to expect from Episodes VIII and IX.