Star Wars star John Boyega reveals it would break his heart to read Colin Trevorrow's cancelled script for Star Wars 9 after the two bonded over their mutual love of Star Wars. Originally onboard to direct the ninth installment of the Skywalker saga, Trevorrow left the project due to creative differences with Lucasfilm producer Kathleen Kennedy. The film eventually became The Rise of Skywalker, directed by J.J. Abrams, receiving a decidedly mixed reception on release. Boyega's path through the sequel trilogy as Finn also suffered from some studio interference. While his story arc as Finn ran from defecting stormtrooper to Resistance hero and featured in all three films, Boyega experienced being increasingly sidelined across the saga despite being key to the trilogy's marketing campaign.
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Many fans were keen to see what Treverrow could have brought to the saga had his decidedly darker vision closed the sequel trilogy. A leaked early draft of the script, written by Trevorrow and Derek Connolly, is titled Duel of the Fates, named for John Williams' climactic score to the final act of The Phantom Menace. The story saw Rey (Daisy Ridley) embracing both the dark and light sides of the Force as the only way to bring balance and peace to the galaxy. Key moments in the script included a stormtrooper rebellion; Rey being blinded by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) during battle; Rey's parents remaining people of no real significance and Kylo dying without being redeemed.
Speaking to Josh Horowitz at Happy Sad Confused, Boyega spoke about how painful it would be to read Trevorrow's script after the two had gotten along so well while discussing ideas for Star Wars 9. Admitting it was the best Star Wars sit down he had ever had, Boyega felt it was a meeting of minds as they discussed the possibilities the project could bring. See below for what Boyega had to say on hoping Treverrow would someday return to the Star Wars universe:
"I can't read that one because I'll be heartbroken, because I was… I had a sit down with Colin. I want to tell you… that's one of the best Star Wars… meetings I'd ever had because it felt like two nerds that were like, 'Yes, that's what we want to see!' …And I saw the art, you know, Stormtrooper rebellion, I was like, that stuff was cold. Hopefully, Lucasfilm can give him an opportunity down the line to maybe work on something else, you know? Because I'm sure they would love to collaborate with him again in any capacity."
While The Rise of Skywalker was not quite as divisive as Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi, both critics and audiences raised issues with some story choices including the seemingly impossible resurrection of previous big bad Emperor Palpatine. Treverrow's vision for how the trilogy could end has an arguably more satisfying conclusion as it finds its answers in the grey areas between the light and the dark sides of the Force. Boyega and Treverrow finding common ground, as well as the release of stormtrooper rebellion Star Wars 9 concept art for this version of the script, would suggest Finn playing a significantly more central role in Dual of the Fates.
Boyega and Trevorrow both appear to have made their peace with Lucasfilm in recent months, yet neither seems likely to return to the Star Wars universe anytime soon. Boyega is busy with projects including Attack the Block 2, working as a producer alongside director Joe Cornish and reprising his role as group leader Moses, and will soon begin production on Gavin Hood's thriller The Test. After Jurassic World Dominion, Trevorrow is stepping away from franchises like Star Wars and Jurassic Park, instead focusing on original projects. While Trevorrow's Star Wars 9 didn't see the light of day, the ideas and vibe of Dual of the Fates, are out there in the ether and may resurface in the future.