Since Star Wars: The Force Awakens hit theaters in 2015, some fans have been shipping “FinnPoe,” a proposed romance between former stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) and Resistance pilot Poe (Oscar Isaac). With one movie left in the Sequel Trilogy, some had undoubtedly been pinning their hopes that the onscreen connection between these two BFFs would turn romantic in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but it is not to be. Director J.J. Abrams dashed the FinnPoe hopes, saying:
That relationship to me is a far deeper one than a romantic one. It is a deep bond that these two have, not just because of the trial by fire in which they met, but also because of their willingness to be as intimate as they are, as afraid as they, as unsure as they are, and still be bold, and still be daring and brave.
John Boyega’s Finn and Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron may have a fierce and passionate bromance, but it is not a romance according to J.J. Abrams, whose Force Awakens first spurred this fan ship. As the co-writer and director of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker told Variety, Finn and Poe share something special that is both different and deeper than it would be if they were romantically involved.
To J.J., Finn and Poe are brothers and brothers in arms, sharing a deep bond in part due to the circumstances of how they met, but also the way they have interacted with one another. Finn helped save Poe’s life, escaping from the First Order with him. In turn, Poe in a roundabout way led the former stormtrooper to his true purpose with the Resistance. They both owe each other, and they also truly know each other.
Finn and Poe may not be boyfriends, but they are quite intimate with one another, not in a romantic way, but with regards to their openness. Their relationship represents a different view of masculinity where they can be open and honest about how they feel while still being brave warriors. It’s a special relationship, but as in the Finn and Rose romance in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, or that look Poe gave Rey weren’t already an indication, it seems that J.J. has no intention of revealing Finn and Poe as gay.
Although Finn and Poe may not be Star Wars’ first prominent onscreen gay couple, J.J. Abrams is still hinting at LGBT representation in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, saying:
And in the case of the LGBTQ community, it was important to me that people who go to see this movie feel that they’re being represented in the film.
If J.J. Abrams wants people of the LGBTQ community to feel like they are being represented onscreen in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, that would certainly seem to indicate that there will be at least one queer character in the film. Whether that character is new or returning and how prominent of a role they have we’ll probably have to wait till December 20 to see.
Earlier this year, co-director Joe Russo became the MCU’s first openly gay character in Avengers: Endgame. So it’s possible it will be some small cameo or notable scene like that, but there are also plenty of new characters being added to a galaxy far, far away in Rise of Skywalker that could provide that representation in the anticipated film.
When asked to follow-up on if there will definitively be a queer character in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, J.J. Abrams left little doubt:
I will say I’m giving away nothing about what happens in the movie. But I did just say what I just said.
That seems pretty definitive, with J.J. making it clear that he wasn’t paying lip service and he didn’t misspeak. So those looking to see more LGBTQ representation in Star Wars have another reason to check out Episode IX.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker blasts into theaters on December 20. Check out our 2020 Release Schedule to see what movies you can look forward to next year.
