Futurism logo

New Details Hint at Finn’s Fate in 'Star Wars: Episode VIII'

Finn was brutally slashed by Kylo Ren at the climax of The Force Awakens; we are all curious of his fate for 'Star Wars: Episode VIII'.

By Max FarrowPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
Like

There’s no denying that life in a galaxy far, far away can be a tad brutal and dangerous. As a result of blaster bolts, lightsabers and the occasional explosion, we’ve seen a lot of injury and death dealt out to various characters throughout the Star Wars saga. And the latest films haven’t shied away from this either!

New planets were eviscerated, and our new hero Finn (John Boyega) was brutally slashed by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) at the climax of The Force Awakens. Though Finn was last seen bedridden, new details have emerged online which hint at what he may be up to next! And in Episode 8 and beyond, it could be something very important...

Soldiering On

We knew that Finn was returning, since Boyega was confirmed as part of the cast months ago, but details were scarce about his fate. After all, he was unconscious in his last scene...you don’t just walk off a deep lightsaber cut to the back! But according to MakingStarWars.net, by the time that Episode VIII begins:

“Medical staff have now placed Finn in a bubble suit (to elaborate, we have it on good authority it is called a bacta suit), to heal his injuries. There is apparently a sequence where Finn is cut or removed from the suit...”

Well, it’s certainly good to hear that Finn is being well-looked after, and that he’ll probably not suffer from his injuries for too long at least. MakingStarWars.net have a blurry picture of the suit, which looks like a ribbed life-preserver that houses the bacta. But I’m sure that some readers may be scratching their heads and asking: what is bacta? Well, cast your minds back to this point in The Empire Strikes Back.

A Helping Hand on Hoth

Luke in a bacta tank. Credit: Lucasfilm & 20th Century Fox

On the ice planet Hoth, following his encounter with a Wampa and hypothermia, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) was briefly seen bobbing around in a tank of what looked like warm bubbly water. And no, this isn’t some sort of alternative medical procedure. In the Star Wars universe, some clear liquid may not be water, it could be bacta! As Wookiepedia states:

“Bacta was a thick, gelatinous substance...it helped the body regrow tissue, including nerves, skin, and muscles. Injured individuals could be immersed in bacta-filled tanks in order to recover from their wounds more quickly.”

Therefore Bacta is definitely the stuff you need to apply to a lightsaber wound! Many fans had guessed that the useful material was being used to help Finn, and this certainly confirms their theories. After all, Bacta isn’t just limited to its appearance in Episode V.

A Bacta canister from the Battlefront series. Credit: LucasArts

It’s appeared throughout the franchise, such as in the original Battlefront games where small canisters of it were quick health restorers. However, Batca now looks set to be brought back to the movies in a big and important way.

Bacta The Future

Who will Luke be training in Episode VIII? Credit: Lucasfilm & Disney

The process sounds like it has been improved and streamlined as well, if Finn is wearing a suit which houses bacta rather than being submerged in a bulky chamber of the stuff. It’s nice to see that technology has progressed a little bit since it was last seen some thirty odd years ago in The Empire Strikes Back.

Either way, Finn is going to need it. I’m sure that Kylo Ren will have got his hands on some bacta for his face, and he’ll certainly be out for revenge. Ren took particular umbrage with Finn’s betrayal of the First Order, and initially dismissed the scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) due to her humble beginnings...think how mad he’s going to be after the loss of Starkiller base and THAT spectacularly epic ass-whooping!

So what’s next for Finn? Well, the report implies that he isn’t going to be hampered by his injuries. Moreover, after he is removed from the suit:

“...[Fin is revealed] to be in better condition than ever before. Shortly after this moment, Finn embarks on a journey that is sure to make him a “big deal” in the Resistance.”

In light of this, ScreenRant hypothesizes that, with Rey deep in her Jedi training, Finn will join up with his friend Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and fight for the Resistance. This seems logical, since the characters clearly got on very well in The Force Awakens, and fans are sure to appreciate seeing more of their budding bromance. Many are still mourning the loss of the previous defining bromance of the galaxy, so we need a new one to fill the gap as soon as possible!

We're never going to be OK with this...[Lucasfilm & Disney]

However, is this the only thing that we can infer from the article?

“We’ll Use the Force!"

Yoda famously using the Force [Lucasfilm & 20th Century Fox]

Could Finn’s “better condition” refer to bigger and more fateful things in his future?

Maybe this phrase is just implying that Finn is fulfilled and generally happier on the right side of the galactic conflict, but there’s something that’s interesting about the way in which Finn is described here, especially the fact that he could be a “big deal.” Sure it’s a funny throwback to his dialogue in The Force Awakens, but we must also remember something else that is a big deal in the galaxy. Even after their "betrayal" in Revenge of the Sith, the Jedi are still viewed with mythic wonder, as Rey's reaction showed.

With their formidable powers, fighting skills and connection to the Force, we certainly can’t rule out the notion that this “big deal” may mean that Finn is set to become a Jedi Knight! There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that this is the case. From the fact that he was able to throw off years of conditioning as a stormtrooper, to his not-too-shabby lightsaber skills against an (admittedly wounded) experienced Force user, it isn’t outside the realms of possibility.

Before the naysayers mimic Han and shout:

...It’s also worth noting that JJ Abrams has changed how things operate in Star Wars. As we learned in The Phantom Menace, the oft-derided midi-chlorians are microorganisms which link all of the species in Star Wars to the Force. When they appear in large quantities, they lend their host a greater connection to the Force. Abrams has openly sidestepped this, and returned the depiction of the Force back to its more spiritual roots, as an energy field which those of a certain spiritual mindset can connect with.

Could Finn have found this connection to the Force in Episode VII?

The previous trilogies have both seen two varieties of heroic trios. Only Luke could openly use the Force in the originals, yet in the prequels, Anakin (Hayden Christensen) and Obi Wan (Ewan McGregor) served as two Force sensitive’s alongside Padmé (Natalie Portman).

Heroes through the ages...

Could we see a repeat of either line-up with Rey, Finn and Poe?

Since the next movie is still so far away, it’s very hard to predict anything that will happen in the continuing Star Wars saga, with his empathy, strong will and proficiency with weapons, Episode VIII may very well see Finn training to use the Force alongside Rey.

To paraphrase Yoda at the end of Attack of the Clones: begun, the speculation has...

star wars
Like

About the Creator

Max Farrow

A fanatical film-watcher, hill-walker, aspiring author, freelance writer and biscuit connoisseur.

These articles first appeared on Movie Pilot between Jan 2016 and Dec 2017. Follow me on Twitter @Farrow91

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.